Impossible Dialogue

1988

Paul Dibble

Accessible

Type

  • Sculpture

Medium

  • Steel
  • Paint

Dimensions

  • H3610 x W3350 x D2600mm

Paul Dibble, ‘Impossible Dialogue’ (1988), Massey University, Te Papa-i-oea Palmerston North

Image: Bronwyn Holloway-Smith, Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand, 2022

2016–Current

Outside Registry Building, Massey University, Turitea Campus, Te Papa-i-oea Palmerston North

1989–2016

Palmerston North College of Education (later Massey University) - exact site unknown/in storage

1988–1988

Dowse Art Museum, Te Awakairangi Lower Hutt

Artists
Credit

Massey University Art Collection

Associated Artwork Organisation(s)

Description

A tall human figure in cut and folded plate steel. Figure is painted black, wears a crown and holds up a green and red bird (parrot).

"The work was originally shown at The Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt. After the exhibition was completed, Dibble applied for the work to be purchased by the Palmerston North College of Education (where he was teaching) for the cost of its production. After the College of Education merged with Massey the work ended up in storage.

"With the assistance of local gallerist Bronwyn Zimmerman, Impossible Dialogue was retrieved from storage, refurbished and installed in 2016 at its current site on the Massey University campus in Palmerston North."

The work was donated to the Massey University Art Collection from the Hokowhitu Arts Trust Collection.

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