Havelock North's new naked Eve sculpture not the apple of everyone's eye

''Fruits of the Garden'', a sculpture by Paul Dibble, is similar to a work which will be unveiled in Havelock North next month. Photo / Supplied

A new sculpture being unveiled in Havelock North next month has raised concerns among some residents about the size and nature of the work.

The bronze cast sculpture, The Garden 2002, depicting Eve's nude lower body (navel to knees), golden apple and a falling leaf, will be unveiled by Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy at a site outside the Havelock North i-Site on May 5.

The work, which is nearly 4m high (including the plinth) and more than 2m wide, was created by sculptor Paul Dibble.

It has been donated by the Mills Family Charitable Trust, a life patron of the Hawke's Bay Museums Foundation Trust, to the MTG Foundation which requested the piece be installed in Havelock North.

MTG Foundation chairwoman Johanna Mouat said she was thrilled to have work of such an international calibre sited so beautifully and relevantly in the centre of Havelock North.

"The return of this wonderful sculpture to Hawke's Bay, which was first exhibited in Hastings at the Norsewear Art Award in 2003 when Dibble was guest artist, is an absolute highlight in the accomplishments of the MTG Foundation and their generous benefactors."

However, a Havelock North resident who does not want to be named, said the public artwork would be controversial.

"Some people will like it while others will find it offensive.

"My concern is that the residents of Havelock North weren't asked if they would like a sculpture of a nude female's torso dominating the village centre.

"While it is art, my view would be that it should be in the MTG where people can look at it voluntarily rather than have it jump out in your face every time they go to the village."

Another resident, who also did not want to be named, said it would be expensive to install and the naked female body might not be to everyone's taste.

Mouat agreed the work might not be acceptable to all but that was not the purpose of art.

"I understand the concern, I think discussion is important.

"Art is never meant to be liked by everyone."

Most traditional European art depicted unclothed bodies and Hawke's Bay had many pou with much more graphic genitalia, she said.

"I would have thought we have grown beyond that as a society ... if we can't cope with the female body."

The work was a celebration of life and beauty which would fit perfectly in such a beautiful suburb as Havelock North, she said.

"It's a celebration of Hawke's Bay."

A Hastings District Council (HDC) spokesperson said the sculpture was the fifth work in a project started 13 years ago by the Landmarks Trust to have more outdoor art in Havelock North.

The sculpture was approved by the Landmarks Trust and has the backing of the Havelock North Business Association.

Havelock North Business Association president Jane Mackersey said the association was very happy with the work but hadn't initially told most members because it wanted it to be a surprise.

"It fits in with our sculpture trail.

"To have something of this calibre is tremendous."

HDC supported the installation by making the site available and ensuring the construction work enhanced its setting for the maximum benefit of the public.