War-themed sculptures to be part of permanent exhibition

Rotorua Lakes Council community arts advisor Marc Spijkerbosch with the winning sculpture The White Mouse.

Four sculptures from the city's recent sculpture symposium have been added to the Rotorua Lakes Council's permanent public art collection.

The Sulphur Lake Sculpture Symposium was held over two weeks late last year at the Rotorua Arts Village, with 17 sculptors participating, including a guest artist from Russia.

The theme was The Returning Soldier and the sculptures now form the evolving Sulphur Lake Sculpture Trail in the Government Gardens as part of the council's commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in April of 1915 during World War I.

Judges selected nationally recognised sculptor Anna Korver's piece The White Mouse, depicting New Zealand war hero Nancy Wake, as the winning artwork.

It will now become a permanent part of the council's public art collection.

The council's community arts advisor Marc Spijkerbosch said community feedback on the sculpture trail had been phenomenal.

"It's a wonderful new asset to the city and in such an appropriate and tranquil location. It's hard to believe this area was a forgotten wasteland only 18 months ago."

Mr Spijkerbosch said the council was also given first option to purchase a second piece, and selected Rory McDougall's The Ghost Soldier to complement the winning sculpture.

"The Ghost Soldier was clearly the 'peoples' choice' and perhaps the most poignant and fitting addition to permanently adorn our World War I memorial trail."

The Rotorua [Electricity Charitable] Trust has purchased a further two of the sculptures for the city - Forever Remembered and Tank Trap - by prominent local artists Paul Bottomley and Jamie Pickernell, resulting in four permanent memorial sculptures at the key entranceways to the sculpture trail.

"Council receives a 20 per cent commission on all sales during the two-year exhibition," Mr Spijkerbosch said.

"Any pieces sold by the artists will be replaced by another of similar nature, resulting in an eternally refreshing and self-sustaining permanent outdoor gallery."

The Sulphur Lake Sculpture Trail - The Returning Soldier information brochure is available onsite at the trail, the Rotorua Arts Village, the Rotorua Museum, and online at www.creativerotorua.org.nz.