Otago Sculpture Trust

Hotere Garden Oputae: Black Phoenix II (1991)

Black Phoenix II 1991.

The first sculpture you encounter is Ralph Hotere's Black Phoenix II 1991, which like its namesake, arose from the flames. Its arced form uses part of the hull of the fishing boat Poitrel, which was burnt in a fire at Caret's Bay boat-building firm Miller and Tunnage in 1984. From the charred remains Hotere created odes to nature's regenerative power. Hotere has added two stainless steel panels emblazoned with textual references to its origins and his now familiar personal iconography. Red glints through the work in the sunlight where small pieces of red stained glass have been attached to the back of the sculpture.

Text copyright Jo Campbell

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