Media release

10 September 2015

New city sculpture celebrates Rotorua’s timber heritage

A four metre high contemporary sculpture by Rotorua artist Jamie Pickernell was lifted into place by crane this morning [Thursday 10 September] at the intersection of Tutanekai and Haupapa streets.

The artwork, called ‘Shavings, has been designed to complement Rotorua’s Wood First Policy and to acknowledge the importance of timber and wood products to the Rotorua economy. It is one of the final touches of an upgrade of the busy city intersection, and part of Rotorua Lakes Council’s strategy to revitalise the inner city.

Artist Jamie Pickernell said having a large scale sculpture in a prominent place in his home town had been very special and he had enjoyed working with the council team on the project.

“I feel honoured, and hope locals and tourists will enjoy it for years to come. The sculpture is called ‘Shavings’ and represents wood shavings from a carver’s chisel,” he explained.

“The making of this sculpture has been a really interesting journey for me. I'm usually a very hands-on maker; however once my initial designs and scale model were finalised this piece was completed using 3D modelling software and a very large five axis gantry milling machine.”

Rotorua Lakes Council’s Creative Communities Portfolio lead, Councillor Glenys Searancke said Mr Pickernell’s design was chosen by the council’s public art selection committee from a list of seven design concepts submitted earlier in the year.

“This sculpture complements a number of pieces installed across the inner city over recent months, along with others in our sculpture trail in Government Gardens that are capturing a lot of attention. These artworks are a clear demonstration that Rotorua is a place where artistic creativity and innovation is thriving,” said Mrs Searancke.

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