New Zealand’s capital is full of public art, often located by the waterfront, taking advantage of Wellington’s beautiful setting (on a nice day). Here are some of my favourites, starting with probably the most famous – Max Patte’s Solace in the Wind, 2007.
A close second in terms of fame would be Cuba Street’s iconic Bucket Fountain designed by Burren and Keen, and installed in 1969.
A more upmarket fountain is Albatross, 1986 by Tanya Ashken.
There is plenty of Lord of the Rings / Hobbit related work at Wellington Airport (though it may not all be there during the airport redevelopment), along with a mighty troll protecting Weta Workshop out in Miramar.
Neil Dawson’s Ferns, 1998 appears suspended in the middle of the Civic Centre Complex, close to Ian Athfield’s Nikau Palms, 1991.
Heading toward the South Coast at the top of Tawatawa Reserve lies Glynn World’s Part Deux.
On the South Coast, before the Red Rocks Reserve, can be found Colin Webster-Watson’s Frenzy, 1975.
There’s a host of artwork close to the airport, including Lyall Bay’s Easter Island statue donated by a former Chilean president, Akau Tangiuses by Phil Dadson, Urban Forest, 2006 by Leon van den Eijkel, and Phil Price’s Zephyrometer, 2000.
A more traditional work, a Maori statue (Pou) can be found on the ridge of Mount Victoria.
Up in Lower Hutt outside te Dowse Gallery is Ronnie van Hout’s comic Fallen Robot.
Finally it is debatable whether this is public art, but it certainly is fun…
If you’re interested in more take a look at my post on New Zealand public art.
Leave a Reply