More than half of Hutt City Council’s public artworks have sustained preventable damage after years of being left unchecked outside. A new audit of the collection reveals 17 of the 28 works need maintenance, some of which there is no money for.
By Georgina Campbell
Crumbling, cracking and corroding - more than half of Hutt City Council's public artworks have sustained preventable damage after years of being left unchecked outside.
A new audit of the collection reveals 17 of the 28 works need maintenance, some of which there is no money for.
The dire state of the artwork has prompted warnings for councils around the country to keep a weathered eye on their collections and Hutt City Council to consider appointing a part time public-art position.
Russell Clark's Free Standing Forms outside the Little Theatre in Lower Hutt. The Hutt City Council is facing a large repair bill because of surface corroding and cracking. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Council documents show several of the artworks either need extensive work, which existing budgets would not cover, or there is simply no budget for the maintenance.
One of those was Russell Clark's Free Standing Forms, the first civic sculpture in Wellington presented to Mayor Percy Dowse in 1966.
Council officers estimated it would cost $70,000 to bring it back up to scratch but the artwork would have to be moved inside. It would cost a further $97,500 to produce a replica to remain at the Civic Gardens.
One of the crumbling cement fondue works at Hikoikoi Reserve in Lower Hutt. Photo / Mark Mitchell
They have recommended the artwork be put into storage while Hutt City Council comes up with the money to restore it because every week it stays outside results in further damage.
New Zealand Conservators of Cultural Materials president Diana Coop said the state of the collection was not a surprise.
She said other councils around the country were facing similar problems.
"What generally happens is a piece of public art is bought, it's installed, its grown to be loved by the community but what gets forgotten is putting in a preservation plan."
"It really is like having a house. You get a house that's brand new and you can't expect to live in that house and it not need any maintenance."
Play Modules in Dowse Square, Lower Hutt, which is badly chipped. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Council documents reported Debra Bustin's Cement fondue works at Hikoikoi Park could be a hazard to the public because of crumbling cement and exposed steel.
Documents also said that at least 23 trees from John Reynolds Titoki Room were dead or dying and having works in such poor condition reflected badly on the council.
When asked about the state of the council's collection, Arts and Culture subcommittee chair Michael Lulich pointed out he was a new portfolio leader.
He said in the past there was a lack of money specifically set aside for maintenance purposes, leaving the preservation of artworks to be dealt with in an "ad hoc" way.
"I think it's important, in terms of maintenance, that from now on it is done correctly and properly and artworks are taken good care of because these are important artworks for the city. So I am disappointed that in the past, this hasn't happened."
Another view of Russell Clark's corroded and cracked Free Standing Forms outside the Little Theatre in Lower Hutt.Photo / Mark Mitchell
He said a Public Art Policy and Guidelines paper was drafted and ready for review at the end of the month and the council would consider appointing a part-time public art position to oversee recommendations from the audit.
