Phoenix returns from the ashes

Geoff Plunket and Judith Ablett Kerr admire Ralph Hotere's Black Phoenix II. Picture / Otago Daily Times

A major Ralph Hotere art work has come back home.

Black Phoenix II, created from the stern of the burned-out fishing boat Poitrel, sat outside his Port Chalmers studio for years until the building was demolished in 1993 to make way for port developments.

Now the sculpture and three other works have been returned as close to home as it is possible to get.

They have been installed in a newly created public garden at 4 Auroa Tce, Observation Pt at Port Chalmers, a site loaded with significance.

Hotere's demolished studio lay immediately to the north and his first studio still sits on the southern boundary.

The garden is a joint venture between the Hotere Foundation Trust and Port Otago. Black Phoenix II and other contemporary works by Chris Booth, Shona Rapira-Davies and Russell Moses were installed on Monday. It will open to the public next month.

Hotere, 73, is widely regarded as New Zealand's most important living artist. He still lives and works at Careys Bay, near Port Chalmers, although his health has not been good since a stroke in 2001.

He gifted the four art works to the foundation trust established in May and always hoped they would be displayed as near as possible to their original position, trust chairwoman Judith Ablett Kerr, QC, said yesterday.

Hotere had been closely involved with the creation of the garden, she said, overseeing its planning and layout, choosing the native plants and deciding the placement of the pieces.

"All the works face towards Aramoana, which was how they were placed originally. It is appropriate, as Aramoana has been Ralph's spiritual home."

Hotere was unable to travel to the garden yesterday but was present on Monday when cranes lifted the large works into place.

"We were both moved by what we saw. He said, 'Thank you'. For me, it was pleasurable to have been able to assist him to achieve ... his heart's desire," said Mrs Ablett Kerr.

Hotere was unable to be contacted for comment yesterday.

Port Otago chief executive Geoff Plunket said he was pleased with the way the garden and art works looked.

"It is all we hoped for. It couldn't be better ... It is as close as we could get to their original site and is accessible for the public and for Ralph as well."

Black Phoenix II is a significant Hotere work. Its companion, Black Phoenix I, made from the prow and bow of the Poitrel, was purchased by Te Papa for its permanent collection, although it is in storage at present.

Black Phoenix II is anchored on to a concrete pad. It is fenced, lit at night and monitored by security cameras.

Mrs Ablett Kerr said the sculpture was vulnerable but the trust hoped visitors would respect it.

RALPH HOTERE

* Recognised as New Zealand's most significant living artist, Hotere was born in Mitimiti, Northland, in 1931, one of 11 children.

* Educated at Hato Petera College and Auckland Teachers' College.

* Studied in London and painted around Europe, a journey which saw the first of many political works.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES