Popular outdoor sculpture exhibition returns after three-year hiatus

Auckland's popular outdoor sculpture exhibition has returned after a three-year hiatus.

Sculpture in the Gardens opened Saturday at the Auckland Botainic Gardens in Manurewa.

Event curator, Linda Tyler, said spectators could look forward to 16 large-scale art, sound, and light works from artists across the motu.

These include steel flower buds by Banks Peninsula sculptor Jane Downes, patchwork globes made from recycled gallon drums by Hawke's Bay sculptors Metal Metcalfe, and large marble hands by Cromwell-based sculptor Josh Olley.

The free display will run for three months.

There will also be an indoor exhibition of smaller sculptural works and homewares available for purchase at the Huakaiwaka Visitor Gallery.

In 2021, the last year the biennial exhibition was held, more than 350,000 people attended.

Linda Tyler, said many of the artists chosen were award-winning, while others were earlier in their careers.

"There's a terrific mix of crowd favourites who have exhibited at previous events, and others offering fresh and exciting new perspectives.

"We were blown away by the talent and creativity of the artists who submitted works to the exhibition. Narrowing it down to just 16 works was really difficult."

Auckland Council Policy and Planning Committee chair Councillor Richard Hills said he was excited for the event to be back.

"We love hosting the exhibition and public feedback is always overwhelmingly positive. Gardening is an artistic expression, and combining these two artforms creates a memorable experience for our visitors.

"The exhibition curators have done a great job of putting together a balanced selection of superb artworks that will be thoughtfully placed in our beautiful garden settings."

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