Four Waiheke artists will be among the 30 who have been selected to exhibit their work in the headland Sculpture on the Gulf exhibition, coming up in January 2013.
Artistic director Nansi Thompson announced this week that Japanese-born artist Kazu Nakagawa will again be exhibiting as well as Sharonagh Tengblad, whose work was featured several years ago. New to the exhibition will be Matthew Muir and Glendale Rangihaeata.
“I’m very excited about the range and quality of the proposed works and pleased that the exhibition has a definite Waiheke feel this year, with four artists actually from the island and others referencing it in their works,” says Nansi. She says that out of the other 26, three are from Christchurch, one is from Australia and the majority of the rest are Auckland-based.
The works to be exhibited in 2013 have been chosen from over 100 entries by a distinguished panel of selectors; John Gow (co-founder of Sculpture on the Gulf and Connell’s Bay Sculpture Park), Sue Gardiner of the Chartwell Trust and Lara Strongman, an independent curator from Christchurch.
Once on site, the works will be judged independently by Rhana Davenport, director of the Govett Brewster Gallery in New Plymouth, who will determine the winners of the Premier and Merit awards.
The Fullers People’s Choice Award will be voted on by visitors on completing the walk, as in previous years.
The biennial free event features three-dimensional and ephemeral works placed along a scenic coastal walkway above Matiatia.
Attracting more than 32,000 visitors in 2011, it is now recognised as the country’s leading outdoor sculpture exhibition and has become Waiheke’s most attended event.
A number of exciting developments will distinguish the 2013 event from previous ones, says project manager Nicky Cairns.
The project is being managed for the first time by an independent board of directors; Stephen Tozer (chair), Deborah Kelland, Anne Hinton, Margaret Malaghan, Brendon Bainbridge and Alex Stone, chair of the Waiheke Community Gallery committee.
“The directors have made a number of changes which will enhance the event, the most significant of which are reversing the direction of the walk and the inclusion of a large marquee complex on the foreshore at Matiatia, a short walk from the ferry terminal,” says Nicky
 “The headland Sculpture on the Gulf Pavilion will offer visitors a real  ‘taste of Waiheke’ with a full daily menu designed by Ana Schwarz (runner-up in NZMasterchef 2012) and prepared by French chef Nico Fini, both Waiheke residents.  
“Waiheke wines from vineyards Obsidian, Kennedy Point, and Batch, the exclusive sparkling wine provider, craft beers, ginger beer and cider from Waiheke Island Brewery, Island Coffee, Rangihoua Estate olive oils and Waiheke Aqua water will also be featured, along with produce from many other local suppliers.”
There will also be a produce hall in the Pavilion, where a wide range of Waiheke produce will be available for sale.
The Pavilion will be open to the public from 8.30am until 5.30pm Monday to Wednesday; 8.30am, until 10.30pm Thursday to Saturday and 8.30am to 8.30pm on Sunday.
In and around the Pavilion will be large sculptural works by invited artists Virginia King, Paul Hartigan, Filipe Tohi, and Anah Dunsheath and it will also house a dedicated gallery space where a wide range of smaller sculptures, including maquettes of the walkway sculptures, will be exhibited and for sale.
Nicky says a number of subsidiary events and activities will feature in the Pavilion throughout the exhibition including special dining events, daily talks with the selected headland artists, Waiheke wine and craft beer tastings and entertainment by Waiheke musicians at lunch time and in the evenings.
“Twilight walks will be another special feature of the 2013 event, ” she says,  “with the opportunity for visitors to enjoy Waiheke hospitality after their walk, while they watch the sun set over Matiatia Bay from the comfort of the Pavilion.
She believes reversing the direction of the walk now provides a fresh perspective and means visitors will be bussed directly from the Pavilion, to what used to be the end of the walk, where they will make their way, largely downhill, back to Matiatia Bay, the Pavilion and ferries.
“These innovations mean visitors are assured not only of complete security of transport and a physically easier walk, but also of a warm welcome and much more of a unique ‘Waiheke experience’  than has been possible during past events,” she says.
A regular bus service (every 15 to 20 minutes) will be available to transport guests from the Pavilion to the beginning of the walking track. This service costs $5 per passenger and tickets can be purchased online or in the Pavilion.
The event’s success relies very largely on the generosity of its volunteers and next year will be no exception, says Nicky.
Anyone keen to offer their time during the three weeks from 25 January to 17 February 2013 is very welcome to contact Nicky Cairns on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . •
Julianne Evans

The selected artists for headland Sculpture on the Gulf 2013

Matt Akehurst ‘Viewpoint’ (Christchurch)
Graham Bennett  ‘Overview/Overlook’ (Christchurch)
Sarah Brill  ‘Wildfire’ (Auckland)
David Carson ‘Baubles’ (Motueka)
Trish Clarke ‘In case of emergency LIKE this Page’ (Whangarei)
Anthony Cribb ‘24/01/2013-17/02/2013’ (Auckland)
Konstantin Dimopoulos ‘The Birds’ (Australia)
Matt Elwood ‘Little Bush’
(Auckland)
Sharonagh Tengblad  ‘A Weave of Words’ (Waiheke)
Gina Ferguson ‘Sheep Track’
(Auckland)
Fatu Feu’u ‘Waiheke Sway’
(Auckland)
Regan Gentry ‘Death Row - Rocky Bay Store’ (Auckland)
Bev Goodwin ‘Not for Sale’
(Auckland)
Ray Handon ‘Zenith’  (Auckland)
Veronica Herber ‘Slowness Shifting IV’ (Auckland)
Gregor Kregar ‘Pavilion Structure’ (Auckland)
Peter Lange ‘This is My Beach’
(Auckland)
Aaron McConchie ‘System#2 I am Auckland’(Auckland)
David McCracken ‘Corten loop’ (Auckland)
Matthew Muir ‘April 1975’ (Waiheke)
Kazu Nakagawa (a play) ‘Catwalk’ (Waiheke)
Christian Nicolson ‘Look darling it’s Tom and Nancy’ (Auckland)
Johnathan Organ and Jessica Peerless ‘Bunker Vision Hi-Fi’ (Auckland)
Phil Price (Christchurch))
Glendale Rangihaeata ‘Pataka’ (Waiheke)
Delicia Sampero ‘Temporary’
(Auckland)
Terry Stringer ‘A Shrine of the Elements’ (Warkworth)
Jeff Thomson ‘Knotting’ (Helensville)
Carolyn Williams ‘Field Notes’
(Auckland)
Nic Moon  ‘Breath’ (Nelson)  •