New art for Rolleston

SCAPE Public Art, the Selwyn District Council, and the Rolleston Residents’ Association, have agreed on a new permanent public artwork to become an iconic landmark of the Rolleston Town Centre.

Arts laureate Dr Areta Wilkinson (Ngāi Tahu) was selected to create the new artwork, to be located in Rolleston Town Centre’s newly developed reserve, surrounded by a sensory garden, youth recreation space, and the community enrichment of Te Ara Ātea.

The artwork, Toro Atua, takes inspiration from ancestral rock art of Te Waipounamu, in the form of 20 light-reflecting stainless-steel figures, mounted on tall, slender poles to vibrate with life, shimmering slightly in the air far above head height.

The figures will be arranged in groups throughout the reserve, leading people through the landscape and indicating areas of importance.

Dr Wilkinson conceived the artwork as imagined guardians; timeless swimming, standing or flying creatures. Her vision is for a recognisable herald of the Rolleston community hub that also sits in harmony with its landscape, delighting and intriguing residents and passersby.

“The opportunity of creating a taonga work for this community is immensely fulfilling and a true highlight,”
Dr Wilkinson said. “The process to date has been very thoughtful and the new objects will land in a beautiful environment warmed by people.”

The work, with a budget of $440,000, is due for completion date in April 2024.

Artist’s impressions of the new Toro Atua public art works for Rolleston

Daylight vision time 1

 

 

 

 

 

Daylight vision 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Night vision of the artworks

 

 

 

 

 

Artist Areta Wilkinson.

 

Images by Georgina Stokes.