My Account
Sculptureum, a major new collection of art and sculpture from all over the world, has opened its doors in Matakana, and its sheer size and scope is already causing a stir both locally and further afield.
Roadside glimpses of a giant flower made from yellow buckets and giraffes formed from rusty mesh give no clue to the extent of the hundreds of exhibits and displays that stretch back from Omaha Flats Road over the 10 hectare site. There are three large outside areas – the Garden of Creative Diversity, the Palm Garden and the Pink Snail Garden – plus six themed galleries, as well as the new Rothko restaurant and a large function hall.
The range, style and sheer number of exhibits is dizzying in its diversity, from classical Italian statuary and bronzes through ancient rocks and driftwood to vivid glass and plastic animals. There are surprises at every turn … and that’s the point, according to Anthony Grant, the Auckland-based lawyer who, with wife Sandra, has put together this extraordinary collection of art, sculpture and design over a dozen years.
He wants to delight and excite people by showing them things they wouldn’t normally be able to see in New Zealand, whether ancient, modern, or even alive. There is a corral of giant rabbits, a turtle tank and several aviaries of jewel-coloured birds dotted through the grounds. So, why has he done it?
“Just to show people some of these wonderful things. And because it’s fun!” he says. “Where else can you go to see art that’s fun? How many galleries can you go to where you see something that makes you laugh?”
He is dismissive of the snobbery and elitism that can surround the art world and wants people to feel confident in their own likes and tastes.
“I’m trying to get people here who are put off by, or disillusioned with art, and urge everyone to have the confidence to like what they like and not worry what anyone thinks. ”
Another objective is to show that good art or design need not be expensive and to inspire people with ordinary things.
Nevertheless, there are a few priceless exhibits. The figurative gallery alone contains works by Matisse, Picasso, Chagall, Cezanne and Rodin, and there’s a massive installation by renowned US glass artist Dale Chihuly. But there are plenty more works made using everyday objects, including sleepers, Lego, cutlery, cable ties and milk bottles.
“One aim of doing this is to help people to make their own surroundings more attractive by showing them what can be done with everyday things, with colour, not only sculptures,” Anthony says. “Things to make a garden lovely, say, to give it personality.”
There was never a grand plan for Sculptureum. It started with a simple desire to display Anthony’s considerable collection of glass then gradually evolved into a far bigger enterprise to curate and display a wide gamut of different sculpture and art.
“I was going to do an art gallery, so just thought I’ll put what I’ve been planning out here,” he says of the gardens. “It was a fairly muddled start, I just thought I’ll have some fun. There was no concept at the outset, and for most things here I’ve thought of a dozen different things.
“I don’t think of it as a sculpture park, I think it’s a new paradigm. It’s art entertainment.”
It has also provided Mahurangi with a new restaurant, an important tourist drawcard and a source of employment – around 30 people work at Sculptureum.
Info: sculptureum.nz
