Otago artist selected for Waiheke Island event

The work of a Dunedin artist will be among the first things visitors to Auckland's Waiheke Island see when they arrive at the ferry terminal during the island's three-week Sculpture on the Gulf event.

Stephen Mulqueen (55), the only Otago artist to be selected for the event, spent six months developing the sculpture Rua Kuriwao, or Red Bush Dog, similar in design to the Kuri/Dog sculpture installed at the Otago Boat Harbour Reserve last May.

While the structure of both sculptures was based on railway spike nails, also known as dogs, Mulqueen said his latest creation drew on the natural surroundings and history of Waiheke Island and the Hauraki Gulf.

"While living at Waiheke I did a lot of research around the original milling of the island and the wider Hauraki Gulf, and looking at the depletion of the Kuri forests."

The sculpture - 2m high and weighing about a tonne - is made of industrial hardwood and steel.

Mulqueen said now work was over, after months of sculpting and a week of installation, he could relax with his fellow artists and visitors.

"It's great being around so many art patrons and illustrious sculptors from all over the country."

Sculpture on the Gulf began in 2003 after a group of Waiheke artists and patrons decided to host an event outside the gallery walls.

Visitors to the island were encouraged to walk around and interact with sculptures in a way they would not be able to in a traditional gallery setting.

The event is held every two years and project director Dilys Grant said it had grown in popularity every time.

She said 12,000 people visited the island during the first event in 2003, 20,000 came in 2007, and 30,000 were expected this year.