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

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