Sculpture in the Gardens 2024/25

It has been 3 years since the last Sculpture in the Gardens was held at the Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens so I was definitely looking forward to visiting it again with my mother Gill. As usual they have done a fantastic job of siting the sculptures so that they are positioned to show the sculptures to their best advantage and of course to showcase the gardens themselves. It is an easy 1.5km walk and is well set up for those with mobility issues.

I didn’t have a clear favourite this year but was delighted to see many of the exhibits with a ‘nature’ theme and very few that I found jarring. Although I’m not generally a fan of ‘rusted steel’ as a material, this time there were several pieces for which is seemed absolutely appropriate and gave a very natural look. There was also a strong environmental protection and restoration theme across many of the sculptures that was very pleasing.

Nonagon Acorn by Greg Tuthill

The Nonagon Acorn explores the intricate relationship between geometry and nature in the plant world, reflecting the resilience of natural forms and the harmony between mathematical precision and organic beauty. There is a contrast between the smooth surface of the acorn nut and the textured cupule that cradles it. The cupule displays a Fibonacci-based geometry, a pattern frequently found in organic forms.

I wish I had also taken a photo from showing the end of the cupule as it had a tight whorl of this pattern. I have always loved seeing how the patterns in nature are replicated in art and architecture. Gaudi’s Casa Batlo, Parc Guell and of course the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona are some of my absolute favourites.

 

Self Seeded by Jane Downes

This installation of 12 poppy seed pods celebrates the life cycle of plants, illustrating the journey from seedling to maturity, flowering and seed setting. Each pod, while part of the same ‘family’, is distinct in shape, size and surface texture. This variation represents the uniqueness of each generation, influenced by the environment around it. Just as in nature, the next generation of plants are shaped by the conditions they encounter, affecting their path, growth and eventual fruitfulness. The sculpture serves as a metaphor for growth, adaptation, and the cycle of life. While all living things may share a common origin, the forces around them – climate, soil and nature – shape their individuality and future potential.

I love Jane Downes work and bought a small piece of her art after seeing her ‘Beehaven’ work at the 2020 Sculpture in the Gardens.

 

Long Fin Eels – Tuna Kuwharuwharu by James Wright

This installation of three Long Fin eels emerging from the water represents the crucial role these creatures play in maintaining healthy ecosystems, specifically our running creeks. The eels, which are native to NZ and are now endangered, symbolise the connection between waterways and biodiversity. Their slow, graceful movements out of the water reflect the delicate balance of nature and serve as a reminder of the vital importance of clean, thriving streams.

Ten years ago, my sister-in-law Bronnie and I attended a weekend sculpture workshop with James Wright and each created a sculpture for our gardens.

 

Bring Back the Natives by Paul Forrest

Over the past twenty years, the NZ Red Admiral butterfly (Vanessa gonerilla) has become a rare sight in Auckland, Tamaki Makaurau. Known in Te Reo as Kahukura (red cloak), the Red Admiral is a stunning native NZ species. Despite its previous abundance, the butterfly has all but disappeared from the city, coinciding with the pesticide spraying during the eradication of the painted apple moth between 1996 and 2004. Urban development and habitat loss have also contributed to its decline. The installation delights visitors and sparks conversations about the importance of conservation while celebrating the natural beauty of this forgotten species. Let’s raise awareness of efforts to bring Red Admiral butterflies back to Tamaki Makaurau by the Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust.

I am a member of the Moths & Butterflies of NZ Trust and am fortunate to live near a butterfly park where some of these were released. I have seen these beautiful butterflies in my garden a few times now and have planted some nettles (their host plant) in a corner of my garden in the hopes of encouraging more.

 

Patchwork of Possibilities by Metal Metcalfe

This sculpture brings together three interconnected ideas, manifested through three metal spheres of varying diameters. First, it showcases the potential of repurposed materials, specifically 44-gallon industrial drums, demonstrating the value and versatility of waste. Second, the concept of quilt-making – a traditionally feminine craft – is reimagined as a ‘patchwork’ of metal pieces, welded together rather than sew. This transformation of materials echoes the theme of comfort, family and history, symbolised by the quilt as a metaphor for shared heritage. Finally the spherical structure of the sculpture evokes the image of Mother Earth, further reinforcing the idea that nothing in nature is wasted. Together these elements symbolise the resilience of both nature and the human spirit, with the whole becoming greater than the sum of its parts.

There is just something happy and cheerful about this sculpture – and the three interconnected themes all resonate strongly with me.

 

 

Bubblegum by Chris Moore

This sculpture draws attention to the destructive practice of bottom trawling in NZ’s international waters, where vast tracts of the ocean floor are indiscriminately swept clean in pursuit of a few target species. The process damages entire ecosystems, with deep-sea coral forests being one of the major victims. These underwater forests, often likened to the ancient Kauri forests on land, serve as nurseries for countless marine species, yet can take centuries to regenerate once destroyed. Inspired by the NZ Bubblegum Coral, one of the world’s largest sea-floor invertebrates, this artwork symbolises the delicate intricate structures that are being lost beneath the waves. By scaling up the coral and placing it in the Botanic Gardens, Chris hopes to raise awareness of the urgent need to protect these underwater ecosystems.

Although I didn’t like the sculpture when I saw it in the gardens (I did quite like the smaller version that was in the gallery) as i found the bright pink colour to be a bit jarring, Bubblegum Coral is in fact a bubblegum pink. I absolutely support the message behind the artwork so wanted to include it in this post.

 

Moo by Jamie Pickernell

In a scenario where a pandemic wipes out humanity in 2051 AD, and the world fast-forwards 1,000 years, the Auckland Botanic Gardens would likely undergo dramatic ecological transformations. Without human interference, the existing flora and fauna would evolve or adapt in ways shaped by natural selection, competition, and environmental changes. What species of flora and fauna would thrive and which species would die out? And what or who would ride the holy cow? The questions are endless …

Moo is just fun and makes you smile … and think. Which is exactly what we should be doing in caring for and appreciating the natural environment.