Figures lead visitors on walk into history

Marc Spijkerbosch with Rory McDougall's sculpture, The Ghost Soldier. Photo / Stephen Parker

Carved tributes to those who fought in World War I will make up a new sculpture trail in the Government Gardens known as "The Returning Soldier".

The 17 unique sculptures dotting the Sulphur Lake trail will remain in place, unless sold by their artists, for the next two years.

For the past two weeks sculptors from Rotorua, New Zealand and Russia have been beavering away on their works at the Rotorua Arts Village as part of the Sculpture Symposium.

Rotorua Lakes Council Community Arts advisor and symposium co-ordinator Marc Spijkerbosch said the event was a great success.

"It was a really busy 24 hours for the installation for the 17 pieces.

"They are part of an outside exhibition now."

The symposium's theme "The Returning Soldier" tied in with World War I commemorations but also recognised historic links to the tranquil Sulphur Lake area, where convalescing soldiers relaxed while undergoing treatment at the old Sanatorium nearby, now home to the Rotorua Museum.

Guest artist Gleb Tkachenko travelled from Russia to take part in the symposium.

His sculpture depicts three soldiers marching forward.

"It's about the hard life of the soldier, the soldier will never be the same again.

"It is about the way war destroys people and if they come back they won't be the same ever again," he said.

Mr Spijkerbosch said he received about 30 submissions from all over the world to take part in the symposium.

"We had to get that down to 17. The great thing about it is eight of those are local artists - Joe Kemp, Jamie Pickernell, Trevor Nathan, Logan Shipgood, Natanahira Te Pona, Netane Singh-Lagah, Peter Akurangi and Rakei Kingi."

The sculptures are for sale but can not be removed until the middle of March next year.

Any sculpture sold will be replaced by the artist with a similar work, he said.

The sculptures will be replaced in two years, after the next Sculpture Symposium.

-For more information on the sculptures visit www.creativerotorua.org.nz