Summer of art
“How does an unseen world affect your physical world?”
From late November, Christchurch will see how seven New Zealand artists answer that question in SCAPE Public Art Season 2024.
SCAPE’s Season is an annual outdoor exhibition of contemporary art designed and produced for public space. The theme for the Season is set by SCAPE’s Managing Curator, Tyson Campbell, who oversees the selection of artists and the creative side of the festival.
Seven large-scale works by professional artists will be installed temporarily in the central city, along with competition-winning work by young people. There are also 15 permanent sculptures produced by SCAPE in the heart of Ōtautahi. Combine all that with the city’s other contemporary and historical sculptures and vibrant street art, and you can happily experience great art at home.
Anyone can engage with public art any time for free. There are no entry charges, no gallery doors, no awkward silences. “Producing public art is exciting and challenging for artists, which is where our experience helps,” says SCAPE Executive Director Richard Aindow.
As the public art producer, one of the organisation’s roles is to navigate the engineering, fabrication, consents, and installation of the artworks. “In this job, you get to know a huge amount about some incredible local business: who can manufacture bespoke shapes in steel, who delivers massive blocks of concrete, who transports awkward-shaped items urgently, who can print on vinyl the size of a multi-storey building, to name a few,” Richard says.
Season 2024 includes one pre-existing work: Carry Me With You, 2023, by Darcell Apelu (Niue, Pākehā, Te Āti Awa), which has been on display at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Apelu’s design encourages visitors to move in and around three concentric structures that refer to the narrative of Tāne Mahuta’s ascent into the heavens and acquisition of three kete (baskets). Apelu lives in Mt Manganui.
SCAPE has commissioned six new works, as diverse as the artists themselves.
Sydney-based Mike Hewson, who trained as an engineer at the University of Canterbury, already has significant public art commissions to his name and is known internationally for his ‘playgrounds’ where carefully considered structures look cobbled together and in danger of collapse. “Mike’s work for SCAPE will have his signature aesthetic and interactivity,” says Richard.
Ming Ranginui (Te Ati Haunui-a-Pāpārangi), who currently lives in Wellington, has devised an artwork that she hopes brings joy, lightness, and a touch of magic to people’s lives.
The remaining four artists all live and work in Ōtautahi Christchurch. They are Ngaio Cowell (Ngaati Te Ata Te Waiohua, Waikato, Ngāti Porou), Julia Holderness, Kulimoe’anga Stone Maka (Tonga, Tainui), and Luke Shaw.
The Season also includes professionally produced artworks by young people who entered SCAPE’s annual Inside Out competitions. “We had record entries this year and want to see this strong creative talent nurtured and celebrated as much as sporting talent,” says Richard.
SCAPE Public Art is running guided walking tours, artist talks, a family art adventure, and other activities throughout the Season; plus, there’s a free app so you can take your own tour any time. Check the website for details.who can print on vinyl the size of a multi-storey building, to name a few,” Richard says.
Season 2024 includes one pre-existing work: Carry Me With You, 2023, by Darcell Apelu (Niue, Pākehā, Te Āti Awa), which has been on display at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Apelu’s design encourages visitors to move in and around three concentric structures that refer to the narrative of Tāne Mahuta’s ascent into the heavens and acquisition of three kete (baskets). Apelu lives in Mt Manganui.
SCAPE has commissioned six new works, as diverse as the artists themselves.
Sydney-based Mike Hewson, who trained as an engineer at the University of Canterbury, already has significant public art commissions to his name and is known internationally for his ‘playgrounds’ where carefully considered structures look cobbled together and in danger of collapse. “Mike’s work for SCAPE will have his signature aesthetic and interactivity,” says Richard.
Ming Ranginui (Te Ati Haunui-a-Pāpārangi), who currently lives in Wellington, has devised an artwork that she hopes brings joy, lightness, and a touch of magic to people’s lives.
The remaining four artists all live and work in Ōtautahi Christchurch. They are Ngaio Cowell (Ngaati Te Ata Te Waiohua, Waikato, Ngāti Porou), Julia Holderness, Kulimoe’anga Stone Maka (Tonga, Tainui), and Luke Shaw.
The Season also includes professionally produced artworks by young people who entered SCAPE’s annual Inside Out competitions. “We had record entries this year and want to see this strong creative talent nurtured and celebrated as much as sporting talent,” says Richard.
SCAPE Public Art is running guided walking tours, artist talks, a family art adventure, and other activities throughout the Season; plus, there’s a free app so you can take your own tour any time. Check the website for details.