Picton sculptures keenly snapped up 

31 March 2003 

The chance to take away a unique piece of art proved irresistible for some Marlburians yesterday.  Seventeen sculptures by artists from throughout New Zealand were auctioned to buyers in Picton, some of whom had witnessed their evolution from rock slabs to smoothly contoured pieces of art.  The works were created as part of Picton's first Sculpture Symposium, where carvers created their pieces in the public eye on the Picton Foreshore over the course of nine days. 

The idea was the brainchild of Picton carver Paora Matenga and Karena Borell and had been a year in the planning with
the support of the Picton Foreshore Trust.  Mr Matenga said the event was a great success which gave people an idea of the
processes behind the creation of art and the chance to own a one-off piece of sculpture. 

"It was a very pleasant week and the auction turned out to be quite exciting. Several people got really enthusiastic about the chance to own a piece of art," Mr Matenga said.  That enthusiasm showed in the prices paid for the sculptures, with all but two fetching more than $1000. The highest price of $1900 was for a creation by Golden Bay artist Jocelynne Bacci.  Mr Matenga said the success of the inaugural event had encouraged organisers who planned to make it an annual showcase of sculpture works.