3rd June 2005
Hon. Judith Tizard to open sculpture exhibition at St Matthew’s
An art exhibition to be held in St Matthew-in-the-City Anglican Church is to be opened on June 16 by Auckland MP, Hon.
Judith Tizard, Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister.
The Spirit of Sculpture will feature the work of 28 of New Zealand’s top sculptors. It will be open to the public until
June 21. Entry is by donation and all works are for sale.
“We are very pleased that the government is so supportive of this event,” says exhibition organiser Carole Sorrell, who
is also chair of the St Matthew’s Centenary Committee. “Their acknowledgement of the arts community in this way is
greatly appreciated, as it also assists us in preserving our historic church building.”
St Matthew's share from the sale of the sculptures will contribute to the renovation and restoration of two historical
treasures in the church building; the Father Willis Pipe Organ and the St Thomas' Chapel.
The artists have been asked to create pieces suitable for a domestic environment. Their only charge for inspiration has
been to reflect on the theme of “spirit.”
Works in the exhibition reflect a broad understanding of spirit, including statements on the environment, expressions of
Kiwi spirituality, traditional Christianity and nature as spirituality, whilst others reflect on the power and multiple
meanings in religious symbols.
An on-line catalogue of sculptures for sale at the exhibition can be found at the church’s web site,
www.stmatthews.org.nz.
The exhibition opens with a cocktail party at 6.00pm on June 16 - sponsored by SKYCITY - and will feature selections of
opera and organ music performed by St Matthew's acclaimed organist Michael C.W. Bell. Tickets for this event are
available by phoning 09 355 1784.
The exhibition itself is sponsored by Macquarie New Zealand, part of Australia’s Macquarie Bank Group, in their first
association with the arts in New Zealand.
The full list of sculptors includes Mary-Louise Browne, Chiara Corbelletto, Bing Dawe, John Edgar, Marian Fountain,
Brett Graham, Fred Graham, Paul Hartigan, John Ioane, Virginia King, Gregor Kregar, Barry Lett, David McCracken,
Paratene Matchitt, Peter Oxborough, Phil Price, John Radford, Ann Robinson, Peter Roche, Jim Speers, Terry Stringer,
Marte Szirmay, Jeff Thomson, Elizabeth Thomson, Filipe Tohi, Greer Twiss, Leon Van Den Eijkel and Jim Wheeler.
For more information about The Spirit of Sculpture exhibition, phone the St Matthew’s church office on 09 379 0625, or
visit the web site www.stmatthews.org.nz
ENDS