Tribute to our "Picasso"

Photo: FIONA GOODALL

MASTER CRAFTSMAN: The late Peter Sauerbier with one of his creations.

Tribute will be paid to the "Picasso of the west" at an exhibition this month.

The show is in honour of former Massey resident Peter Sauerbier, who donated all his work to the Waitakere City Council shortly before his death in 2006.

Mr Sauerbier was widely regarded as the father of New Zealand found object art – where an object not originally intended for an artistic purpose is used to create a visual artwork.

Mr Sauerbier, who died of cancer at the age of 79, inspired many artists, four of whom will show their work during the tribute exhibition at the Pierre Peeters Gallery in Parnell.

The artists – Felix Delux, Keiran Donnelly, Andrew Hall and Sean Kerrigan – are very familiar with his work and the three knew him well.

Waitakere city mayor Bob Harvey, who likened the artist to Picasso when he handed over his collection four years ago, says he was a one-off.

"He is one of Waitakere’s treasures," Mr Harvey says.

"He created a world of magic, humour and extraordinary craftsmanship that has very widespread appeal."

His creations were generally made out of an assortment of recyclable materials from market places, antique shops and building sites.

The works he donated are in storage but the council hopes to tour them around the country before housing them at the Corban Estate Arts Centre in Henderson.

"I kept my work together all this time and I didn’t want to split it up," he told the Western Leader just weeks before he lost his battle with cancer.

"I think it will be great for people to see it, especially the younger generation, and I think it is beautiful we can keep it all in one place."

Mr Sauerbier’s last creation, a sculptured key to open the new civic centre in Henderson, was also donated to the council in September, 2006.

A Tribute to Peter Sauerbier runs at the Pierre Peeters Gallery, 251 Parnell Rd, until April 6. Call 377-4832 for information.

- © Fairfax NZ News