World Class Sculpture Unveiled in Invercargill

World Class Sculpture Unveiled in Invercargill

A world class sculpture was unveiled in Invercargill on Friday 21 August. The large public art work, with a commanding presence, is by internationally acclaimed designer, David Trubridge. Called ‘Tale of Southland – Murihiku’, it is his largest outdoor sculpture to date, measuring seven metres by ten metres.

Trubridge was the winner of a national competition commissioned by South Alive, a local community group dedicated to urban rejuvenation in South Invercargill. It was funded by retired Southland businessman, Cliff Broad, who has family links to South Invercargill.

The brief was to create a significant contemporary public sculpture that would embody and reflect the transformation being sought for the area. 38 entries were received, from throughout New Zealand and internationally. The high calibre of entries was welcomed by the selection panel. Invercargill based, national sculptor Russell Beck, a member of the selection panel, said “It is a major work by a world renowned artist and a valued addition to Invercargill’s public art”.

Robyn Hickman, Chair of South Alive, said the work is of significant cultural, artistic and historical relevance and will stand as a major symbol of South Alive’s role in transforming the South Invercargill environment. “We are delighted to have been able to have a part in bringing a taonga of such grace and beauty to our area” she said.

Trubridge describes his winning entry as ‘a rich connection to the land and sea and flourishing coexistence of cultures. The geometric patterning of nature provides the blue print for strength and growth and the tail flick of a great whale propels a forward momentum.’ The winning design is also strongly reflective of local traditions, with nearby Foveaux Strait also known as Te Ara A Kiwa (the pathway created by the great whale Kewa) and Murihiku, the Māori name for the southern part of New Zealand, meaning ‘the tail end of the land’. The role of whaling as part of the early relations of Māori and European in the south is also reflected in the whale tail design.

David Trubridge has works in galleries around the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Pompidou Centre in Paris. He is a naval architect by training and an inspiring artist, who successfully mixes his role as a designer with a successful exporting company from regional New Zealand.

The sculpture was built locally by Invercargill fabricators and painters. Beck said “Contractors had the task of transforming the conceptual drawings into the real thing. This involved complex engineering design, skilful fabrication, painting and installation, each aspect presenting particular challenges”.

and expertise of those who have created this beautiful sculpture. Their work is a fitting tribute to the early residents of the south, who I wished to acknowledge and honour through this public artwork.”

The process of construction of the sculpture has been documented by photographer David Russell of Southern Exposures who said that the process had given him some fascinating insights into the engineering world and that it had been a pleasure to work with such talented Invercargill personalities. “The sculpting process has been highly technical and shows that Invercargill has vibrant industrial resources” he said.

The South Alive Art Gallery will host an exhibition of the photographs, as well as Trubridge’s early drawings, the engineering plans, photographs of Trubridge’s other well-known works and some of the lights for which he is perhaps most renowned. The exhibition opens on Friday 21 August and runs until Saturday 19 September. Opening times are Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 3pm with late night on Thursdays until 7pm. The gallery is located at the rear of the South City Mall on Elles Road, South Invercargill.

During his visit to Invercargill, Trubridge will also be guest speaker at a public hui where he will share insights into his work and design philosophies. The Hui will take place on Saturday 22 August from 2pm to 4pm, at the Pacific Island Advisory and Cultural Trust Building, 135 Bowmont Street, Invercargill. Entry is $5.00 and light refreshments will be provided.

These comments are endorsed by the sculpture project’s benefactor, Cliff Broad. “I am impressed by the tenacity and expertise of those who have created this beautiful sculpture. Their work is a fitting tribute to the early residents of the south, who I wished to acknowledge and honour through this public artwork. I am also grateful for the wonderful assistance offered by the Invercargill City Council, in bringing this project to fruition.”

The process of construction of the sculpture through to completion has been documented by photographer David Russell of Southern Exposures. The photographs are part of an exhibition on the making of the sculpture being presented by South Alive at it’s art gallery in South Invercargill. The exhibition also includes Trubridge’s early drawings of the design and the engineering plans. It runs until Saturday 19 September.

ENDS

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