Stoneleigh People’s Choice Award goes to King
Stoneleigh People’s Choice Award goes to King
28 January 2008
The inaugural Stoneleigh Sculpture in the Gardens Stoneleigh People’s Choice Award has been won by Virginia King for her
sculpture exhibition entry, Pupu Harakeke – Flax Snail.
Members of the public voted for their favourite sculpture during the three-month exhibition at the Auckland Botanic
Gardens where twenty-seven large-scale sculptures by some of New Zealand’s best-known and up-and-coming artists are on
show along a 1.8 kilometre trail through the Gardens.
Glen Candy, sponsorship manager for Pernod Ricard NZ which owns the Stoneleigh brand, announced the award – which
includes $5000 and a selection of fine Stoneleigh wines – at a closing celebration and twilight BBQ on Auckland
Anniversary Day.
“Any people’s choice award is highly sought after because it carries that much coveted stamp of approval from the
public. These works of art are inspirational and diverse and it comes as no surprise that the Stoneleigh People’s Choice
Award was a close contest.
“Pupu Harakeke is the beautiful and highly polished stainless steel flax snail nestled in a setting of native grasses by
the lake. Throughout the exhibition people have been drawn to this piece. They have watched it gently spin, admired the
fine way in which it is crafted, and children have looked up through the spiral of the snail and caught a glimpse of the
sky through the intricately cut lettering,” he says.
Auckland Botanic Gardens curator manager Jack Hobbs says well over 250,000 people have visited Stoneleigh Sculpture in
the Gardens since it opened in November 2007.
“We have been delighted with the number of people who have come to the show, enjoyed the Gardens and learnt a little
more about sculpture than they might have known before,” he says.
Stoneleigh Sculpture in the Gardens closes on Thursday 31 January so visitors have a few more days to venture out to the
Auckland Botanic Gardens and see this popular exhibition
ENDS
About Stoneleigh Sculpture in the Gardens
* Open 7 days from dawn ‘til dusk
* Closes Thursday 31 January 2008
* Free admission
* Collect a free trail guide from the Visitor Centre or buy an exhibition catalogue
* McConnell Property Supreme Award winner – Barry Lett ‘Big Rock Dog’. This $25,000 award was announced at the opening
function and was presented by Prime Minister Helen Clark. The award was judged by the exhibition’s curatorial panel of
Alexa Johnson, Leo Jew and Richard Cooper
ENDS