The 2011–12 exhibition

9 October 2011 – 12 February 2012

The third Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition was a cause for celebration and a testament to the determination of the Friends and the staff of the Auckland Botanic Gardens to keep their bold initiative alive. This year’s exhibition was very much alive with a dynamic array of works spreading out and inhabiting the glades, lawns, pools, paths and hidden spaces of the Gardens with energy, humour, sparkle, colour, thoughtfulness and serious purpose.

A number of sculptors who had already participated in earlier exhibitions contributed to the growing sense that this show is part of a continuum – an important and enjoyable addition to the range of outdoor exhibitions held in greater Auckland. The many sculptors exhibiting for the first time put their stamp on the event with brilliant new works and experiences. Bronwynne Cornish used living plants in her sheltering Bivy, whereas Mia Hamilton and Bev Goodwin festoon pool and lawns with exotic handmade blooms. Lucy Bucknall’s Big Man drew us into his sombre reverie in the Perennial Garden, while from Bryan Verey’s Swing afforded a dizzying new vantage point for viewing the roses. Terry Stringer brought together a group of artists to make the small works that clustered on poles near the visitor centre in Garden Elementals, and inside Huakaiwaka was a display of smaller works by many of the artists who have shown in past exhibitions.

The artists participating in 2011 were: Lucy Bucknall, Bronwynne Cornish, Bing Dawe, Todd Douglas, John Edgar, Elementals group (comprised Graham Bennett, Tanya Blong, Bill Hayes, Bryan Jones, Virginia King, Samantha Lissette, Lauren Lysaght, Richard McWhannell, Christine Massey, John Papas, Terry Stringer, Marte Szirmay, Greer Twiss, and Jim Wheeler), Gill Gatfield, Regan Gentry, Bev Goodwin, Mia Hamilton, Christine Hellyar, Tui Hobson, Lgop co-op (Suza, Warwick Bell, Isaac McCormick), Chris Moore, John Oxborough, Jamie Pickernell, Llew Summers, Jeff Thomson, Bryan Verey, Richard Wedekind, and Jim Wheeler.