They do cut down the poles that hold up the sky

1989

Shona Rapira Davies

Accessible

Type

  • Sculpture

Medium

  • Concrete
  • Paint
  • Ceramic

Dimensions

  • H2630 x W1310 x D1120mm

Shona Rapira Davies (Ngātiwai), ‘They do cut down the poles that hold up the sky’ (1989), Hotere Garden Oputae, Port Chalmers, Ōtepoti Dunedin

Image: Bronwyn Holloway-Smith, Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand, 2021

2005–Current

Hotere Garden Oputae, 4 Aurora Tce, Port Chalmers, Ōtepoti Dunedin

1989–2005

Studio of Ralph Hotere, Aurora Tce, Port Chalmers, Ōtepoti Dunedin

Artists
Credit

Hotere Foundation Trust Collection

Associated Artwork Organisation(s)

Description

Rapira Davies’ sculpture comprises a coiled stoneware ceramic figure and tiles. The figure, after being fired, was filled up to the waist with concrete to aid the centre of balance.

The Hōtere Garden at Oputae was developed to mark the return of four sculptures to their home at Observation Point. They had previously been displayed at the studio of Ralph Hōtere which stood nearby but was demolished in the development of Port Otago in 1993. The Hotere Foundation Trust, with the assistance of Port Otago Ltd, returned the sculptures to the garden on 19 December 2005, fulfilling the wishes of Ralph Hōtere.

The sculptures:

  • Chris Booth, ‘Aramoana’ (1982) - Decommissioned

See also: