This work was produced as part of the inaugural Golden Bay Stone Symposium in 1989. The Roman numerals IX-VI-MCMLXXXIX are inscribed on its base (presumably the date the work was completed: 9-6-1989).

Organised by artist Merrin Westrink, the symposium took place at Fairholme Gallery in Milnthorpe (owned by Westrink). Westrink was the chair of the local Arts Council at the time, and organised two stone symposiums. A further three were organised by Grant Knowles in the early 2000s.

‘King Tut’ was bought from the symposium by long-time Tākaka librarian Berna Soper, and installed at the Tākaka Memorial Library on Commercial St.

In the early 2000s a new library building was constructed, officially opening in 2008, at which point the old library was vacated. The old building was leased out, but burned down in 2010. The site has since been turned into Tākaka Memorial Park which opened in October 2015. At some point during this timeframe the sculpture was relocated to the Golden Bay Community Centre (now ‘Mohua Social Services Centre’).

See also:

• Tākaka's Second and Third Libraries - Nelson (The Prow)