This work is one of several that were commissioned for Wellington’s Civic Square redevelopment in the early 1990s.

"Linking the [Michael Fowler] centre to the life of this city, this work's central motif is a colossal anthropomorphic sun, which Franken says rises each day to set the stage. This huge and complex work was intended to be viewed through moving water — and this is where it positively scintillates. Franken has generally used a kind of broad pointillist technique which fuses with the rippling drama of water and light to create ever-shifting and beautiful patterns of intense colour. The result is a hypnotic work which absolutely demands prolonged staring."

Source: Stephen Cain, 'Franken's pools a Wellington treasure', Evening Post, 6 March 1993

"Robèrt Franken painted all the pools that form the water features around the square. The pools located between the Art Gallery and the Library do not have a label, but depict a snake or eel with faces. 'The Sun Sets the Stage to the Day' are other pools at the Civic Square edge of the alley between the Town Hall and the Michael Fowler Centre. The design for these pools are based on a theme of the events and activities that take place in the square and the Michael Fowler Centre."

Source: Virginia Douglas, ‘Public Art in the Civic Square’, c.1999

Franken was invited by Claire Athfield to complete the murals.

See also:

• The Sun Sets the Stage to the Day, Robert Franken | Wellington City Libraries

• Commissions | Robert Franken [artist’s website]

• Virginia Douglas, ‘Public Art in the Civic Square’ (Victoria University of Wellington, c.1999). Courtesy: Wellington City Council Archives.