ArtBeat
Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden recently called for expressions of interest from artists for a new sculpture for their Permanent Collection. Thirty proposals from New Zealand, Australia, America, Latvia and the Netherlands were received, many of high caliber. Three artists’ proposals have been shortlisted for fuller development and all receive $5,000 seed funding. Congratulations go to Emma Camden, Phil Price and Virginia King, and final proposals are due January 2025, the winner to be announced in March 2025 and winning sculpture installed by March 2027.
The judging panel comprises Felicity Milburn, Head curator at Christchurch Art Gallery; prominent artists Darryn George and Bing Dawe; curator Melissa Reimer, and Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden property owners, artist Annabel Menzies-Joyce and Peter Joyce.
The entries were rigorously debated against criteria including originality, creativity, thoughtfulness, robustness and anticipated artisanship and execution. "Artworks in this particular outdoor environment need to stand up to some climate extremes," explains Peter Joyce," and, by chance, the three works shortlisted share one thing in common: they're all in steel." Melissa adds: "Ideally, the works should enhance the sculpture garden in their site specificity or compatibility with our ethos and mission. The property is an accredited Te Ara Kākāriki green dot: a project to identify and establish a corridor of native plantings and build community awareness around biodiversity. It's no coincidence that many of the works in the Permanent Collection carry a strong environmental message.”
This second competition follows its successful first competition resulting in an unprecedented three commissions in 2023 by artists Neil Dawson, Natalie Guy and Sam Harrison. You can make an appointment to view the Permanent Collection or view online taitapusculpturegarden.co.nz/permanent-collection
IMAGE: Neil Dawson, Kōtare, 2022, painted stainless steel, height: 8500mm, commissioned by Tai Tapu Festival, 2021