The Canterbury norwester has become a permanent feature in Geraldine.
Timaru sculptor Trevor Askin’s Nor’ wester was installed on the Geraldine Sculpture Trail last Thursday, comprising three stylised trees caught in a northwest wind.
While Mr Askin had created more than 700 sculptures in bronze over the course of his career, this was his first work in galvanised steel.
Despite Mr Askin’s sculptures being owned worldwide, this piece was only his third to be displayed publicly in South Canterbury.
A life-sized bronze paper boy statue was installed in Sophia St in Timaru in 1997, and the second was a bronze sculpture of a blacksmith installed at Orari less than a decade later.
Trail project co-ordinator Rosie Woods said few Cantabrians would not understand the implications of a norwest wind.
‘‘We’re very excited to be having this permanent piece on our trail.’’
She said it had been an 18-month process from inspiration to installation, and despite Mr Askin closing his foundry last year, he had begun creating something for the trail.
Mr Askin was not saying the sculpture would be his last, either.
‘‘I’m always thinking of something.’’
The Aigantighe Art Gallery purchased the sculpture for the trail, using funds from the Sevicke Jones bequest.
Mrs Woods said the construction of the trail was now completed, with a boardwalk helping people access the path from the road.
She had heard of people being shown along the path by rickshaw, and said it had been heartwarming to see everybody being able to enjoy it.
‘‘Access for everybody has been our key.’’
Another goal had been to take art ‘‘out of private collections and [bring] it to the public, so that everyone can get to enjoy it’’.
Now construction of the trail was completed the team was now focusing on the artworks.
The first permanent sculpture was located outside the Geraldine Library — Piwakawaka and Pinecone, created by Fiona Garlick — and Mrs Woods said there were more to come.
‘‘I have four others in the pipeline.’’
She said progress had to be at the artist’s pace, but also at the donor’s pace, as all of the works would be donated.
