Waka define new sculpture

Hamilton's collection of public art is set for a boost, with the commissioning of a $150,000 sculpture that will draw inspiration from waka, Matariki (Maori new year) and the suburb it will be set in.

The as-yet unnamed piece, funded by Hamilton City Council, will be installed in Rototuna, at a roundabout at the intersection of Resolution Dr and Borman Rd.

Dr Ann McEwan, art historian and a member of the public art committee, which recommended the piece to council, said the sculpture would be a welcome and long overdue addition to the city's public art scene alongside the Riff Raff Statue in Victoria St and the Earth Blanket outside Hamilton Gardens.

The sculpture will be made up of seven waka ranging in height from 6.5-9.5m and will be placed in a formation that will represent the Kingitanga symbol of the Matariki star constellation.

Auckland-based artist Dion Hitchens' idea for the sculpture beat those of two other artists.

He will be helped by Hamilton artist James Ormsby, as well as hapu Ngati Wairere, which includes sub-tribes Ngati Hanui, Ngati Waikai and Ngati Parekirangi.

The artist's brief was to incorporate links to the history of the Rototuna area, which means "lake of eels" when translated to English.

Dr McEwan said she was impressed by Hitchens' pitch as it fitted in with the idea "to connect locally".

The towering structure, set in a circle formation, and paid for out of capital works, would be a significant part of the roading project now under way.

It would suit the industrial feel of the site, with many of the materials involved planned to be practical and durable.

"It also appeared to address the three-dimensionality of the site," she said.

Dr McEwan said while the city council had a brilliant public art policy, no money was budgeted for it, and commissioning of work largely relied on donations, fund-raising or wealthy benefactors.

She said Hamilton could follow other cities, such as Christchurch, which allocates $250,000 for public art each year.

Each of the seven waka would be embedded with symbols representing proverbs and aspects of history from the area. Each one would be up-lit and the symbols illuminated by LED lights.

Foundations for the work would be laid soon and the sculpture was due to be ready for Matariki celebrations in June-July.

- © Fairfax NZ News