Media Release

31 October 2016

Photo by Grant Sheehan

Wellingtonians asked to support the fundraising for a new Ferns sculpture for Civic Square

This week the Wellington Sculpture Trust signed a contract with artist Neil Dawson to make a near replica of the iconic Ferns sculpture, and has started its fundraising in earnest.

Wellington Sculpture Trust chair, Sue Elliott said: “We are now seeking donations or pledges for the project, through the Arts Foundations online fundraising platform, Boosted.

“The iconic Ferns by prominent New Zealand artist Neil Dawson, sat above Civic Square for 17 years, capturing the spirit of Wellington and adding enormously to our sense of place. It has featured in countless photographs, videos, advertising campaigns, and is often used to promote our city. Loved by us, and others, we have been working hard with the artist and Wellington City Council to return the sculpture to Wellington’s civic heart.”

In late 2015 Ferns was taken down because of structural weaknesses that had been exacerbated by the Wellington wind. Although it was fixed several times the Council received professional advice that the work was no longer safe to be suspended, and couldn’t be repaired in a way that would last.

Neil took his inspiration for the original Ferns from the natural environment, using the silver ponga fern and four additional varieties of ferns (petako, lace fern, wheki and puniu) to create a suspended globe of delicate lacy fern fronds.

The new Ferns will be as close as possible to the original, but have a stronger internal structure and be cut from stainless steel, which is more robust than the original aluminium.

The Wellington City Council is a major funder, as well as supporting the installation costs it will ultimately be responsible for its ongoing maintenance. The Trust is fundraising for the work and is looking to raise $210,000 from the community, including $55,000 by way of the Boosted campaign.

The Trust has already received generous donations from the ANZ Bank, a sponsor of the original Ferns, the Wellington Community Trust and the Nikau Foundation. We are now seeking donations from the wider Wellington community with all funds going directly to the contract cost.

Donors gifting $3000 or more will be recognised on a permanent plaque to be placed near the work in Civic Square.

Donations to the Boosted campaign can be made online from 1 Nov – 6 December 2016 at www.booosted.org.nz/projects/ferns or donations can be made directly to the Trust.

“We expect to restore Ferns to its rightful place above the Square in the first quarter of next year, and are hoping that the Wellington public will get behind the project and help us make it happen,” Sue Elliott said.

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