Five iron equines par for course

Wellington artist Max Patte (left) and Sir Michael Hill yesterday  inspect elements of Patte's...
Wellington artist Max Patte (left) and Sir Michael Hill yesterday inspect elements of Patte's latest artwork, The Frolic and the Fancy, on the seventh tee at The Hills golf course, near Arrowtown. Photo by Tracey Roxburgh.

Sir Michael Hill has added to his animal artworks collection this month by buying five cast-iron horses to watch over the seventh tee of The Hills golf course.

The Frolic and the Fancy collection is one of Wellington artist Max Patte's latest works. It arrived to the course at the beginning of the month, but has been away from public viewing until now.

''These guys have a real sense of life about them, as if they are mid-bray,'' Sir Michael said.

He commissioned the works two years ago, before the well-publicised arrival of the 110 cast-iron wolves and accompanying warrior that keep watch over the 18th hole.

Each horse is 2.6m high, 3m long and weighs 1.5 tonnes. Cast-iron weta, dragonflies and wolves have become a common sight on the course, the venue for the New Zealand PGA, but Sir Michael said he had ''no plans to build a zoo''.

''Obviously, golf is the name of the game here, but we have such a unique environment. I think it's a wonderful setting for art and it gives players something else to contemplate, or aim for, as they move around the course.''

Sir Michael said attracting crowds was not the point of the sculptural installations on the golf course.

''We just enjoy creating a stimulating environment for people who come to The Hills.''

 

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement