Hotere Garden Oputae
This Garden was created to mark the return of four sculptures to their home at Observation Point on 19 December 2005 . They had previously been sited at the studio of Ralph Hotere which stood nearby but was demolished in the development of Port Otago in 1993. The Hotere Foundation Trust in association with Port Otago Ltd returned the sculpture to the garden. The Garden is located alongside the flagstaff on the hill overlooking Port Chalmers. From the container terminal proceed up Grey St, turn left into Scotia St then Left again into Constitution St and the garden is at the top of the hill.................... Our thanks to Jo Campbell for granting us permission to reproduce the following text (copyright Jo Campbell- originally published in ODT 'Art Seen' column, 29-01-2009)............... The award-winning native garden features four impressive sculptures in one of our most picturesque locations. It is also a permanent reminder of the conflict between the aims of big business and those of the wider community. In the late'80s, debate raged over Port Otago's plan to destroy Observation Point, where Ralph Hotere's studio was located. It was eventually demolished in 1993 and the resulting garden, which opened in late 2005, formed part of the settlement between the two parties. As a result, two of the works feature dates, that of original creation and that of reconstruction, as all four works had previously been displayed at Hotere's Observation Point studio. The works are linked not only by their association with Hotere, and this contested location, but also by their engagement with environmental concerns. Each work inspires consideration of the natural environment and human impact upon it.
In Site Library - Greater Dunedin
Illustrated and informative articles about local sculpture. These articles were written and generously contributed by Richard Dingwall. Previously published in The Otago Daily Times in the In Site feature column, they provide fascinating background information about Dunedin's public sculptures. See our self-guided tour booklets (Publications Tab) for further information. Click on green 'Insite Library'