Outdoor sculpture show a mix of the sophisticated and the inconsequential

Headland, Sculpture on the Gulf
Waiheke Island
Until February 20th

The biannual Headland outdoor sculpture exhibition this year features over thirty works from local, national ands international artists

This year’s show does not have the same consistent high level of work of previous years with some of the selected works being rather inconsequential which tends to undermine the overall strength of the exhibition.

While many the works are responses to the environment they do so in different ways. Some are integrated into the landscpae; others interact with it while others make oblique references to mans imposition on the landscape.

Paul Cullen’s “A Diagram” looks as though it has been or is being built for a specific purpose. It consists of viewing platforms, ladders and other structures which enable viewers to look down on picturesque Church Bay. This strange set of structures is one of the works which consciously intrudes into the landscape with unfinished earthworks and incomplete constructions replicating some of the worst aspects of development on the island and combining the notion of the tourist seeking out the views.

Other works integrate almost completely into the environment such as Jeff Thomson’s “Carpet” ($18,000), a vast work of plaited coloured corrugated iron. Set in a small glade his carpet is both a soft organic surface and a sparkling translucent pool.

The work is complemented by the nearby work “Data” ($8000) by Judy Darragh and Rachel Shearer which makes use of the sloping terrain to create the illusion of falling, rippling water.

Matt Akehurst’s “You Are Here” ($6500) is both simple and sophisticated. A set of standard road direction sign bearing the names of some of the world’s major art works (Duchamp’s Fountain, Richard Long’s Spiral Jetty and the Sistine Chapel) is a clever commentary on the nature of art tourism, which includes Headland.

"Morpeus 2" ($170,000) is one of Phil Price's more complex works, A tall organic form bearing seed pods which appears to grow out of the landscape

Fletcher Vaughan’s “Collapse” ($38,000), a large scale house of cards is a commentary on the global oil crisis. The back of the cards bears a map of the Pacific while the face cards have been slightly altered with one of the Jacks wearing a face mask, a King with a clown’s face and the Joker with skulls for eyes juggling oil barrels.

There are a couple of all purpose stainless gnomes by Gregor Kregar, a playful huge take coffee cup "Throw Away Fix" ($8500) by Brett Oakes and a superb granite carving “The Anchor Stone of Waiheke" ($38,000) by Chris Bailey.

The winner of Premier Award, Dennis O'Connor’s 'The Tangler's Cave" is a remarkable installation which is out of place in the physical environment but totally related to the social history of the island.

One of the Merit Awards "A Sunday Afternoon" ($28,000) by Marcus Tatton is a sprawling pile of which meanders over the actual headland, a superb nod to the works of environmental artists such as Richard Long.

Getting to Headlands From Auckland

Take a Fullers ferry from the downtown Ferry Terminal or from Devonport to Waiheke Island. Arrive at Matiatia, Waiheke Island.

The artwork trail begins at Matiatia Ferry Terminal. As you leave the ferry terminal turn right along the beachfront where there are more art works before making your way up the hill.

If you wish to short cut the first section or avoid a steepish climb, you can take the headland shuttle bus to Nick Johnstone Drive, where you will be dropped off at the INFO SITE.

Make sure you get the special headland shuttle bus. Waiheke bus routes do not go to Nick Johnstone Drive. Look for the sandwhich board bus stop sign outside the terminal building.

Check Fullers website for timetable. www.fullers.co.nz/