MEDIA RELEASE                               February 2009

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An Eye for Sculpture

From three-metre tall stone sculptures to 60-cm ceramic pieces, the Ellerslie International Flower Show’s An Eye for Sculpture exhibition will feature works by 27 of New Zealand’s best sculptors.

The works will be displayed in and around Lake Albert, set among the native plantings surrounding the lake and suspended in the magnificent North Hagley Park trees during the five days of the Show, from 11 to 15 March.

Curated by local sculptor Michael Michaels, the exhibition of predominantly large-scale works includes pieces by an array of award-winning artists from throughout the country.

Michaels says on display will be art by renowned North Island steel sculptor Don DeMacedo, Christchurch’s own marble sculptor Llew Summers, West Coast jade sculptor Ian Boustridge, ceramic artists Linda Pringle, Cheryl Lucas and Margaret Ryley, and emerging steel artists Vineet Dent and Shaun Rennell.

There will also be a bronze sculpture by Akaroa’s Siene DeVries, Timaru bluestone by Doug Neil, Oamaru Stone works by Wendy and Michael Sergeant from Christchurch, and wire steel art by Auckland’s Wisam Ibrahim.

“It will be a fantastic exhibition with such a diverse range of work by some of New Zealand’s best artists. An Eye for Sculpture 2009 will show the real strength of artistic talent in this country.

“Visitors to Ellerslie are invited to take a stroll around Lake Albert, on the western perimeter of the Show and indulge their passion in art.  The exhibition is opportunity to not only see these works but also buy a piece of New Zealand art for your garden,” Michaels says.

• Full list of artists: Gary Baynes (Governors Bay), Russell Beck (Invercargill), Ian Boustridge (Greymouth), Sarah Brill (Auckland), Tim Brown (Christchurch), Don DeMacedo (Waikanae), Vineet Dent (Christchurch), Siene DeVries (Akaroa), Wisam Ibrahim (Auckland), Ironic Art (Christchurch), Ian Lamont (Little River), Cheryl Lucas (Lyttelton), Andrew Lyons (Christchurch), Ernie Maluschnig (Wanaka), John Mayne (Dunedin), Geoff McConnell (Christchurch), Michael Michaels (Kaiapoi), Amy Michaels (Kaiapoi)), Doug Neil (Christchurch), Dennis Pearson (Nelson), Linda Pringle (Lyttelton), Shaun Rennell (Christchurch), Margaret Ryley (Rangiora), Wendy Sargent (Christchurch), Michael Sargent (Christchurch), Susan Sky (Christchurch), and Llew Summers (Christchurch).

Featured images: Bronze sculpture by Akaroa’s Siene DeVries (left) and Wire steel sculpture by Auckland’s Wisam Ibrahim.

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For further information phone An Eye for Sculpture Curator Michael Michaels on 03 327 0051 or  021 0764 643 or Ellerslie International Flower Show communications adviser Jan McCarthy on 03 941 6412 or 027 637 7912.