BE A PART OF HISTORY
It's hard to know where to start when we look back on the year so far. We have seen the chaos caused by Covid-19, but we have also seen our amazing community rally together during these difficult times.
If there's one thing we believe in at the Trust, it's the positive power that art can have in a community. Not only does art instil wonder, inspire change and spark debate — it can help heal.
As we are seeing big changes in our way of life, we're changing at the Trust too. After many years of being our fearless and passionate leader, Kathy Johnston has decided to step down as Chair. Kathy is a founding member of the Sculpture Trust and has contributed immensely to the creative culture in our town. We want to thank Kathy for all she has done for us and our community. Thankfully, Kathy is staying on as a Trustee.
Carol Hunter has also decided to step down from the Board. Carol has been a Trustee many years and we will greatly miss her tenacity and wisdom.
So who is taking up the reins? Chris Martin, a Trustee for three years is our new Chair. Chris has extensive knowledge of the arts and we look forward to an exciting and dynamic future under his leadership. Learn more about Chris in our interview below and a bit more about what we've been up to.
A legacy you can SEE
Taupo Sculpture Trust has been busy the last twelve months working on a rather large project. An expression of interest was sent out to twelve of New Zealand's most prominent sculptors, looking for submissions for a sculpture of significance for Taupo. The response from the artists was overwhelming. With some very robust debate, the Trust chose a submission by artist Gregor Kregar, that we were all instantly enamoured with. It is a privilege to be working with an artist of such repute.
We really want to put Taupo on the map and become a 'must-visit' for any art lover. We have the artist, we have the location and we have the concept (it's a fantastic concept). Securing funding is the next step. Due to the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have decided now is not the time to seek funding and we will review this project in the new year. It is very disappointing for Gregor as he relies on projects such as this for his livelihood. If you would like to be a part of a legacy for the Taupo community, please contact us.
The collection of sculptures generously bequeathed to the Trust from collector Gilli Sutton, have now all sold, except for a few select pieces which will be put on display for everyone to enjoy at the Waipahihi Reserve.
The entire collection of more than 50 pieces were auctioned through Trade Me to raise money for the Trust.
A huge thank you to everyone involved. To the Sutton family for this generous donation, to the Trustees who organised the auctions and to the Taupo District Council for their help along the way.
Meet A Trustee
We sat down for 5 minutes with Chris Martin, newly installed Chair of the Taupo Sculpture Trust.
'Blue Bear' by Lawrence Argent. Colorado Convention Centre.
Illustration by Chris Martin.
How long have you been with the Trust and what motivated you to join?
I’ve been with the Trust for 3 years now, after being asked if I was interested in getting involved by Kim Gillies (also on the Trust) - I thought this over for about a millisecond before agreeing. I was now living in Taupo permanently, after having a holiday home here for 30 years. I wanted to give something back to the town that had given me and my family so much enjoyment over the years. My favourite pastime is to visit art galleries wherever I find myself in the world and increasingly searching out contemporary public art, that has become more commonplace - as opposed to the traditional sculpture of the ‘hero’ that becomes a resting place for a pigeon.
As you can see from the photo, public art can be playful.
'Surrounded Islands' by Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Photo by Wolfgang Volz
If you could transport sculptures from anywhere in the world to Taupo, what would they be?
It’s not strictly a sculpture in the traditional sense but the work of the late artist Christo has always had my admiration. What I love about his work is the scale and vision to pull of these monumental installations. To have such an idea and then to have the determination and drive to convince a public institution to go along with it is no small achievement. Perhaps we’ll have an installation on a similar scale in Taupo one day.
'Nga Kina' by Michel Tuffery. Wellington waterfront.
What value do you think public art can bring to a community?
Having spent most of my life in Wellington I saw first hand how the appearance of contemporary public art brought a new perspective to the city. Some of the works were challenging to some but as more showed up on different sites around the city people began to not only appreciate what the sculptures did for a city but looked forward to the next one, and the next one. It also helped take the image of Wellington from being a grey town full of public servants to a town with a youthful, creative sprit, and helped it become the cultural capital of New Zealand. Public art have increasingly become some of the most visited sites in many cities around the world.
What contemporary New Zealand works are currently catching your eye?
I’m always interested to see what Peter Robinson has come up with. One cold winter’s day in Wellington many years ago - mainly to escape the weather - I called into the Peter McLeavey gallery in Wellington and was confronted with rooms full of large, white, misshapen, polystyrene sculptures. There’s no doubt I was somewhat confounded by what was on display here, I certainly didn’t love them, but I admired the audacity of the artist and even more impressed by the gallery for having the courage, or stupidity, to exhibit such works. In 2008 he won the Walter’s art award - New Zealands most prestigious contemporary art award. Over the years I’ve kept an eye out for his work. He’s brave, surprising, thought provoking, and never seems to be trapped in one style. I don’t like all his work, but the work I like, I like a lot. You can see the Te Papa collection of Robinson's works here.
© Chris Martin.
Many New Zealanders were inspired to get creative during lockdown. Was this true for you?
As I couldn’t go to my studio I decided painting in watercolours was a far more harmonious way to go - painting in oils would permeate everything in the house…not good. I ended completing a watercolour painting every second day.
The subject matter revealed itself to me as we went for our morning walks, then I would paint every afternoon. Each painting told a story of how the lockdown was affecting New Zealand, and me personally. I ended up with 19 paintings that were exhibited over Queen’s birthday weekend and all but sold out. Good therapy for me that also clearly struck a cord with those that viewed the exhibition.
All paintings were signed and dated the day they were painted as a permanent reminder of this moment in time we all went through.
2020 memberships
We truly value each and every person who signs up as a member of the Trust (seriously, we cheer out loud every time). Memberships for 2020 are now ready for renewal. You can sign up online at our website. If you would prefer a hard copy form, just let us know, along with a mailing address. We are a charitable trust so contributions are tax deductible - hooray!
All is Swell
Some beady-eyed art lovers may have noticed our beautiful SWELL missing from the Taupo lakefront. Swell has been removed for maintenance and will be re-installed in a fabulous new location on the lakefront very shortly.