Future of ‘Mountains to Sea’ sculpture under discussion - 5/09/2011

The future of the ‘Mountains to Sea’ sculpture, a finalist in Sculpture Wanganui 2010, has been discussed at a meeting between Max Cody (one of the artists), Mayor Annette Main, Cr Nicki Higgie and Chief Executive Kevin Ross.

The sculpture is currently sited on the banks of the Whanganui River near the winning ‘Balancing Act’ sculpture. Council has been encouraging the community to make donations to enable the purchase of the $40,000 sculpture but sufficient funding has not been raised.

It was agreed to extend the period in which to raise the money to purchase the work and to discuss the future of the sculpture at November’s Council Meeting.

“Sculpture Wanganui has produced some innovative and exciting public art for our district and ‘Mountains to Sea’ was a result of that process,” says Mayor Annette Main.

“The artists understand Council’s position with regard to purchasing the work and we will be looking at options for securing the sculpture and retaining it as part of our growing collection of riverside sculptures.”

Cr Nicki Higgie is pleased with the outcome of the meeting.

“Council and the artists are working co-operatively to ensure that we are able to get the most positive outcome. ‘Mountains to Sea’ is a popular sculpture with both locals and visitors to Wanganui and we have been lucky to have it on our riverbank. It would be wonderful to think we could retain the sculpture but that is a decision for our community to help Council make.”