New sculpture sure to catch motorists' eyes

Photo: AMELIA JACOBSEN

EYE CATCHING: Aaron McConchie’s sculpture will be seen by 40,000 motorists a day.

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A large sculpture on Highbrook Drive may see curious motorists doing a double take.

It’s creator, East Tamaki-based artist Aaron McConchie, designed it to be seen at distance and speed, and also to provoke people to put their own interpretation on exactly what the sculpture is all about.

The work consists of 135 half-painted pallets pieced together in nine constructions forming the shape of a house of cards pyramid, spanning the south side of Highbrook Drive.

Mr McConchie says he chose his material because he was interested in the concept of the life span of the pallet as a sustainable material and how they are often reused.

Being based in East Tamaki he has gained industrial influences to his work.

Mundane objects lying around like pallets are inspiration and potential to an artist.

He approached Goodmans Highbrook, "art philanthropists", who were keen to let him exhibit in the area.

"It wasn’t a hard sell," he says.

"I like the curve of the road and it’s a great backdrop for artwork."

With 40,000 people driving past a day Mr McConchie says he is feeling apprehensive his work will be seen by so many people.

The subjective nature of art means he doesn’t expect everyone to appreciate it but hopes it could prompt people to put an interpretation on the work and get them thinking.

Mr McConchie constructed the sculpture on a smaller scale two years ago but this is the largest sculpture he has embarked on so far.

The work will be displayed from October 18 until January next year.

- © Fairfax NZ News