New Sculpture Trail in Government Gardens
The inaugural Sculpture Symposium was held 29th November to 12th December 2014. Organised by Rotorua District Council Community Arts advisor, Marc Spijkerbosch. Seventeen local and national sculptors worked in stone, wood or stainless steel, including guest artist Glebos Tkachenko who traveled from Russia to take part. Daily Post 24 November 2014.
The theme chosen was 'The Returning Soldier' as part of Rotorua's commemoration of WW100
Winner : Judges selected nationally recognised sculptor Anna Korver's piece 'The White Mouse' depicting New Zealand war hero Nancy Wake, as the winning artwork which was installed on the new Sculpture Trail in the Government Gardens, she also received $10,000 as part of her prize. Daily Post 24 November 2014.
The Rotorua Electricity Charitable Trust purchased two more sculptures for the city by local artists, these being 'Forever Remembered' by Paul Bottomley and 'Tank Trap' by Jamie Pickernell to add to the new sculpture trail. Daily Post 28 January 2015.
The theme chosen was 'The Returning Soldier' as part of Rotorua's commemoration of WW100
Winner : Judges selected nationally recognised sculptor Anna Korver's piece 'The White Mouse' depicting New Zealand war hero Nancy Wake, as the winning artwork which was installed on the new Sculpture Trail in the Government Gardens, she also received $10,000 as part of her prize. Daily Post 24 November 2014.
The Rotorua Electricity Charitable Trust purchased two more sculptures for the city by local artists, these being 'Forever Remembered' by Paul Bottomley and 'Tank Trap' by Jamie Pickernell to add to the new sculpture trail. Daily Post 28 January 2015.
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| Anna Korver's piece The White Mouse Photo courtesy of Kete Rotorua |
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| Tank Trap by Jamie Pickernell. Photo Courtesy of Kete Rotorua |
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| Forever Remembered by Paul Bottomley Photo courtesy of Kete Rotorua |
In 2016 the next symposium was entitled 'Sulphur Lakes
Sculpture Symposium' and took place 19th to 27th November 2016. 14 artists worked in
an open space and locals were encouraged to go down and watch and see the
artworks take shape.
The theme this time was 'The Energy Within' capturing
Rotorua's geothermal and cultural environment. As with the first symposium, the
winner's creation became a permanent part of the Rotorua public art collection.
Another 3 pieces were purchased to enhance the new boulevard in Kuirau Park,
they are : Takutaimoana Harawira - Kuirau : Nigel Scanlon - Ore Ore : Peter
Edwards - Te Korokoro o te Parata (Throat of the Parata). All remaining work
was installed on the Sculpture Trail until the next symposium in 2018.
Winner of the 2016 Symposium was local artist Trevor Nathan
with his piece 'Synergy' it "reflects the interaction between rural and urban environment and how we come together as a city to create the energy in our town"
Daily Post 23 November 2016 and 3 March 2017.
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| Trevor Nathan 'Synergy' Photograph by Alison L. |
In 2018 the latest Sculpture Symposium was again referred to as the 'Rotorua Sculpture Symposium' and featured 18 sculptors from New Zealand, Switzerland and Iran.
The theme was 'Nga Wai o Rotorua - The Waters of Rotorua and was run from 16th November to 26th November.
This year's winner is Rory McDougall of Hokitika with his piece 'Waters of Rotorua' made from Taranaki Andesite Stone it represents the thirteen main bodies of water alongside the rivers and hills of the Rotorua area.
A further three pieces are being considered for purchase for the public art trail.
This year there is a People's Choice option for the first time, so get on down to the gardens and vote for your favourite, you have until 17th February 2019 to get your vote on the Creative Rotorua Facebook page
Daily Post 26th November 2018.
Photographs of a few of 2018 entries, Get your vote in now
Visit the Creative Rotorua Website to download the current Sulphur Lake Sculpture Trail Brochure
and don't forget the Rotorua Public Art Trail also has some fantastic pieces of sculpture.
This post is by Alison. All photographs of the latest entries taken by Alison.
This year's winner is Rory McDougall of Hokitika with his piece 'Waters of Rotorua' made from Taranaki Andesite Stone it represents the thirteen main bodies of water alongside the rivers and hills of the Rotorua area.
A further three pieces are being considered for purchase for the public art trail.
This year there is a People's Choice option for the first time, so get on down to the gardens and vote for your favourite, you have until 17th February 2019 to get your vote on the Creative Rotorua Facebook page
Daily Post 26th November 2018.
Photographs of a few of 2018 entries, Get your vote in now
Visit the Creative Rotorua Website to download the current Sulphur Lake Sculpture Trail Brochure
and don't forget the Rotorua Public Art Trail also has some fantastic pieces of sculpture.
This post is by Alison. All photographs of the latest entries taken by Alison.
