WSS 2020

Key Information

The Whangarei Sculpture Symposium is a unique event held in Northland with the 2020 event being the 6th time it has occurred.

Artists are invited to create a sculpture that relates to the theme of ‘Regeneration – renew, restore and reclaim’ focusing on the natural environment and the preservation of our natural resources; water, land, air and coast.

This biennial event takes place in the Whangarei District on the shores of the Hihiaua Peninsula that has many examples of environmental art encompassing both historical approaches to nature in art, both ecological and politically motivated.
The sculpture must interpret a local influence using locally sourced natural materials which celebrates an artist’s connection with nature and how the aesthetics of art form can inform our landscapes.

Key Dates

8th March 2020: Event Welcoming & Opening Evening
9th March 2020: Event officially begins and sculpting begins
18th March 2020: Tools Down midday and closed to the public
19th March 2020: Judging (morning) the Award Ceremony & Auction (in the evening)
20th March 2020: Event pack out and sculpture removal

PUBLIC OPEN HOURS
9th – 17th March: 9am – 5pm
18th March: 9am – 12:30pm
19th March: 1.30pm – 6.00pm Final viewing, 6.00pm – 6.30pm Award Ceremony, 6.30pm onwards Auction

Awards

At the end of the symposium, the sculptures will be judged and the following awards will be presented prior to the auction:

WDC Supreme Award – $6,000 cash. The sculpture will be installed in a public space in the Whangarei CBD
o The sculpture must follow the theme of regeneration as well as incorporate ideas around bringing communities and cultures together (tolerance, unity, solidarity etc).
o Potential site is the Whangarei falls.
WDC Parks Award – $4,000 cash and the sculpture will be installed in a public space in the Whangarei CBD
o The sculpture must follow the theme of regeneration as well as incorporate ideas around bringing communities and cultures together (tolerance, unity, solidarity etc).
Resene Award – $750.00 cash and $750.00 worth of Resene Vouchers. The winner of this award can still sell their sculpture at auction.
o To be eligible for this award you must use Resene stains/paints on your finished work, in a meaningful way – e.g. more than just a dot of colour. Products will be supplied by Resene to use on your sculpture.
People’s Choice Award (tbc) – $1,000 cash. The winner of this award can still sell their sculpture at auction.
o The public will vote for their favourite sculpture/sculptor and the artist with the most votes will win the award.

All remaining sculptures will be auctioned at the Hihiaua Cultural Centre.



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