Driftwood sculptures fan out into the country

PEOPLE'S CHOICE: Artist Jack Marsden-Mayer, seen here with his dragon-head sculpture, is taking his whale to Auckland.PHOTO/MARK MERADITH 261014WCLWJACKMARSENMAYER

Artist Jack Marsden-Mayer has been having a whale of a time in Wanganui and he has a five-metre humpback whale sculpture to show for it.

Originally from Manchester, England, Mr Marsden-Mayer moved to Wanganui from Ruapehu just three months ago to set up his Gonville studio where he creates his award winning driftwood sculptures.

The latest sculpture will be travelling to Auckland for the biennial "NZ Sculpture OnShore" exhibition in Devonport next week.

Mr Marsden-Mayer won the people's choice award at the exhibition in 2012 with his elephant sculpture, named Kashin after Auckland Zoo's often lamented late, beloved Indian elephant.

"My mission is to win the people's choice award again this year and sell the whale," says the artist.

"I will be on the road on Thursday and Friday with the whale on a car trailer and an emperor penguin for another show at King's College.

"At the same time, a friend is delivering two moa sculptures to "Art in a Garden" in Christchurch - it's my busiest month of the year."

Mr Marsden-Mayer says visitors are always welcome at his studio at 42 Bedford Ave, Gonville, if they want to see the whale before it leaves town.