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"Convinced that art creates vibrant cultural centres, a group of Auckland sculptors met in 1998 to discuss the need for more sculptures in the city. In early Auckland, philanthropic citizens commissioned monuments to honour important public figures and to grace the city and its parks, such as the Robert Burns statue, fountains, and neo-classical figures in the Winter Gardens of the Auckland Domain. But, although there were two important sculpture initiatives in Auckland in the 1970s and 1980s, and art projects were part of the development of the waterfront for the America's Cup in 2000, public sculpture had been given little attention in recent times. As for the Domain, no sculptures had been installed there since mid-century. It seemed an ideal site for a new project.
Constituting themselves as the Outdoor Sculpture 2001 Incorporated Society, eight of the sculptors, with other supporters and project coordinator Jane Sanders, set about planning a project and raising funds. The concept of the new millennium was a catalyst, and the New Zealand Lottery Grant Board Millennium Fund was approached for support. The chief sponsor, however, was the P.A. Edmiston Trust, committed to art projects for the city since it's founding in 1946 through a bequest of the Auckland philanthropist Philip Augustus Edmiston." *
* Reference: Flyer written by Elizabeth Rankin, Professor of Art History, Auckland University, for AK05.
The Edmiston Trust was delighted to support the vision of Outdoor Sculpture 2001 Incorporated Society to site eight sculptures by Auckland artists in the Auckland Domain to form the beginning of a sculpture walk.
The Trust was partnered in this project with financial support from the New Zealand Lotteries Board Millennium Fund and assistance from the Auckland City Council.
For your next walk in the Domain click on this PDF to download a map of the sculpture walk or go to www.aucklandmuseum.com/334/auckland-domain-sculpture-walk
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