Category Archives: University of Otago sculptures (four shown here)

The previous ‘In Site’ articles we had here are no longer up to date, so we have substituted the descriptive notes from our sculpture trail booklet, ‘Otago Sculpture Trails: University of Otago Walk.’ There you will find a list of the University sculpture collection which is on public view.

Sculpture. 1976

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Sculpture. 1976. Anodised Sheet Aluminium
Artist: Marte Szirmay
 
Great King Street, on the corner with Frederick Street, on the wall of the School of Medicine building.
 
Photo, Mike O’Kane
 # 2 in our publication Otago Sculpture Trails: University of Otago Walk.
 
Sculpture by Marté Szirmay (1975), is constructed from folded and anodised sheet aluminium. Produced while Szirmay was the Frances Hodgkins Fellow in 1971-2 it is an example of a Modernist style she was exploring. Sculpture was moved from its original ground level position in 2006. Changes of this sort can alter the way the work is perceived in unexpected ways. Szirmay has earned a reputation as a senior Auckland based sculptor in the Modernist style.

Eleven Bronze Rods Supporting Albatross Wingspan. 1969.

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Eleven Bronze Rods Supporting Albatross Wingspan. 1969. Bronze.
Artist: John Middleditch
 
University College (UniCol) front garden. Union Street East, Opposite the Allen Hall Theatre.
 
Photo, Rob Linkhorn
# 26 in our publication Otago Sculpture Trails: University of Otago Walk.
 
Eleven Bronze Rods supporting Albatross Wingspan, by John Middleditch (1969) consists of two graceful wing forms fabricated from welded bronze. Another of his works, a copper fountain, can be seen in a courtyard near the Otago Hospital foyer, ask at reception. (Details published in our booklet Otago Sculpture Trails: Dunedin City and Beyond).

Crown-Land-Crown. 1995

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Crown-Land-Crown. 1995. Marble and Bronze. Relocated 2005.

Artist: David McLeod. 

St David St Lecture theatre lawn, near the Leith River.

 Image from a photo by Bill Nichol.

# 24 in our publication Otago Sculpture Trails: University of Otago Walk.

Crown-Land-Crown, by David McLeod (1995), is made from marble and bronze. The work is an investigation into the idea of ownership of land: a play upon the concept of Crown Land and addressing the cultural significance of land. Crown-Land-Crown was refurbished and resited from its original position in 2006. In 1995 the work was graffitied with the words “Yours, Mine, Ours, Theirs” in green crayon. The artist enjoyed the connotation and sandblasted the words permanently into the stone in 2005, adopting the words as the work’s subtitle.

Bridge. 1986

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Bridge. 1986. Australian Hardwood (Ironbark)
Artist: Peter Nicholls
University lawn between Union Street and the student centre.
 
Photo, Rob Linkhorn
# 17 in our publication Otago Sculpture Trails: University of Otago Walk.
 
Bridge, by Peter Nicholls (1985), refers broadly to the function of a University. The title of the work is a metaphorical statement referring to the previous function of the Australian hardwood beams, which were recycled from a South Island railway viaduct. The structure also acts as a framing device through which to view the site, formally echoing the Victorian Gothic roof angles of the buildings nearby.