Catalogue showcases city’s public art collection

17 October 2014

Hamilton's rich and growing portfolio of public art has been captured in a catalogue which will be launched on Monday (October 20) as part of the city's 150th birthday celebrations.

The $25,000 publication was produced with grants provided by Wintec's School of Media Arts and Foster Construction and features 39 pieces of public art. Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker says the catalogue was produced at no cost to ratepayers, “reflecting the value of a partnership approach.”

She says the production of the catalogue reflects an increasing commitment to the funding of public art by philanthropic trusts, individuals and corporates.

"The catalogue brings the richness of the public art portfolio into one place so people can see the wide scope of what we now have in the city," Mayor Hardaker says. "I'm hoping that it may motivate other individuals and corporates to contribute to the public art portfolio and to help make the city a richer place to live."

She says the catalogue enhances Hamilton’s reputation as a city that supports the arts.

It  features one of the city's first pieces of public art, Little Bull, by sculptor Molly Macalister, who completed it in 1968. Also featured is the 'farming family' at the northern end of Victoria St, sculptured by Margriet Windhausen and gifted to the city by businessman Sir Robert Jones in 1990. 

A second work by Windhausen is featured on the cover - a life-size bronze of Captain John Fane Charles Hamilton, after whom the city is named. The status was a gift from the Gallagher Group of Companies in 2013 to celebrate 75 years in business.

Mayor Hardaker says the catalogue will be updated over time as new work is installed.

New additions will include the sculpture at the University of Waikato unveiled two weeks ago as part of its 50-year celebrations, and a major public art work by internationally recognised artist and sculptor, Michael Parekowhai, which will be gifted to the city by the Mesh Trust, and installed near the Waikato Museum.

Mayor Hardaker acknowledged Wintec’s on-going commitment to the arts and its support of the arts community and Fosters for its willingness to invest in celebrating public art. 

The catalogue will be available free-of-charge from the Garden Place Library, Artspost, Waikato Museum, Creative Waikato and i-SITE.