Albatross

1986

Tanya Ashken

Accessible

Type

  • Fountain

Medium

  • Concrete
  • Fountain/water feature mechanism

Dimensions

  • W8000 x H3500mm

Tanya Ashken, ‘Albatross’ (1989), Taranaki Street Wharf, CBD, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

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

1986–Current

Edge of Whairepo Lagoon toward Frank Kitts Park on the waterfront, CBD, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

Artists
Credit

Wellington City Council Art Collection

Associated Artwork Organisation(s)

Description

The Wellington Sculpture Trust was launched with the acquisition of 'Albatross' under the inspired leadership of Dr Ian Prior and Henry Lang. Although erected in 1986, fundraising towards for the work began in 1983.

'Albatross' comprises three abstract shapes interacting with each other, with the water evoking rocks and the sea.

Plaques installed with the work read:

“ALBATROSS / BY TANYA ASHKEN 1985-86 / A PROJECT OF THE WELLINGTON SCULPTURE TRUST / LAUNCHED ON 19TH MAY 1986 / HIS WORKSHIP THE MAYOR OF WELLINGTON / IAN LAWRENCE / ENGINEER IAN MACALLAN & CO / BUILDER GEOFF CARR WITH GARY HOGAN & RON MADDOCK / INITIATED BY IAN PRIOR & KEN CLARKE”

“DONORS / AMERICAN EXPRESS: BANK OF NEW ZEALAND / ANZ BANKING GROUP (NEW ZEALAND) LIMITED / BAYER NEW ZEALAND LTD: BRIERLEY INVESTMENTS LTD / CORY-WRIGHT AND SALMON LTD: IAN MACALLAN AND CO / NEW ZEALAND LINE: RESERVE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND / WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL: WELLINGTON HARBOUR BOARD / WILLI FELS MEMORIAL TRUST”

“DONORS / LAURIE & EVA ASHKEN: CROMWELL CORPORATION LTD: W A DE VIGIER / FLETCHER CHALLENGE LIMITED: INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS LTD / JACK ILLOT: KLISSERS FARMHOUSE BAKERIES LTD: HENRY & TUP LANG / LUSTEROID HOLDINGS (NEW ZEALAND) LIMITED: MR & MRS R A MCKENZIE / AVENAL MCKINNON: MICO WAKEFIELD LTD: PHILIPS NEW ZEALAND LTD / THE NATIONAL BANK OF NEW ZEALAND LIMITED: IAN & ELESPIE PRIOR / THE SHELLEY FAMILY: SOUTH PACIFIC MERCHANT FINANCE LTD / STEVENS K N S CORPORATION LIMITED: THE TODD FOUNDATION / TURNOVSKY ENDOWMENT TRUST”

“DONORS / ASEA TOLLEY ELECTRIC CO LTD: MICHAEL & IRIS ASHKEN / TIM & HELEN BEAGLEHOLE: THE CALVERT FAMILY / COMMERCIAL UNION INSURANCE: DATABANK SYSTEMS LTD / JOHN, GIAN & CAMERON DRAWBRIDGE: EMCO GROUP LTD / SIR CHARLES & LADY FLEMING: SIR MICHAEL FOWLER: A.E.FRAMPTON LIMITED / FRANCIS ALLISON SYMES & CO: JOAN GIBBONS: KENSINGTON SWAN / JOHN KOMINIK: HERBERT & BEVERLY MELCHIOR: JAMES MUTCH FOUNDATION / SIR WALTER & LADY NORWOOD: ELIZABETH ORR / F.H.RENOUF FAMILY TRUSTS: RIGHT HON SIR JUSTICE IVOR RICHARDSON / M.L.SALAS: DR ALLAN SMITH & SHIRLEY SMITH: STEEL & TUBE HOLDINGS LTD / V.M.TURNER: ERNEST ULLRICH: WILLESTON GALLERY LTD: ORMOND WILSON”

See also: