Hamilton's newest public sculpture may be modest in size, but it carries a powerful message about the strength found in working together. The bronze artwork, titled "Rock," was officially unveiled at Hayes Paddock Reserve, drawing a crowd of local residents and officials who gathered to witness the latest addition to the city's growing collection of public art.
Designed by internationally acclaimed New Zealand artist Francis Upritchard, the sculpture draws inspiration from a traditional Japanese folk tale featuring two supernatural beings called yōkai. The artwork depicts Ashinaga, a creature with exceptionally long legs, and Tenaga, a being with remarkably long arms, collaborating to build a pile of rocks. The piece was hand-molded using balata rubber before being cast in bronze, creating a durable work that will withstand the elements for years to come.
The sculpture represents the latest installation from MESH Sculpture Hamilton, a charitable trust that has been working to enhance the city's cultural landscape through public art. Since the organization's incorporation, they have successfully fundraised and commissioned five different sculptures, all of which have been donated to the city as gifts to the community. Each project relies entirely on funding from private donors and charitable trusts, though MESH officials declined to reveal the specific cost of the Rock installation.
Speaking to the assembled crowd, MESH curator Laree Payne emphasized the deeper meaning behind Upritchard's work. "Acknowledging each other's strengths and weaknesses and working together to help each other achieve things that wouldn't be possible independently - the sentiment is something to hold on to," Payne explained, highlighting how the sculpture serves as a metaphor for human cooperation and mutual support.
Although Upritchard, who is based in London, was unable to attend the unveiling ceremony, her words were shared with the audience through a statement read by Payne. "As a sculptor, I deeply value the many hands that make a sculpture possible," the artist said. "Nothing like this happens alone. We have to work together just like the two figures piling rocks." Her message reinforced the collaborative theme that runs throughout both the artwork itself and the process that brought it to the community.
The installation process for Rock had been years in the making, according to Payne, who spoke with the Waikato Times following the unveiling. The MESH team conducts extensive research before each installation, studying both the history of potential sites and observing how people use these spaces. "We do some site research and about the history of the place and we think about how people use it, the unique characteristics of it," Payne explained. Interestingly, this project marked a departure from MESH's usual approach of commissioning artists to create site-specific works, as they instead sought out an existing artwork that would complement the chosen location.
Hamilton City Councilor Anna Casey-Cox expressed her appreciation for the sculpture's symbolic significance during the ceremony. She noted how the artwork's representation of collaboration - with the long arms and long legs from two different beings - resonated with her vision for the city. "How important that is for us and for our city," Casey-Cox remarked, emphasizing the relevance of the sculpture's message to Hamilton's community spirit.
While the city council did not provide financial support for the sculpture's acquisition, they played an important role throughout the public art approval process and will be responsible for the artwork's annual maintenance. Casey-Cox noted that this arrangement benefits the city significantly. "So it's not a huge expense for us, but it brings so much to our city," she explained, highlighting how public-private partnerships can enhance municipal resources while enriching the cultural environment.
MESH chair Stuart Anderson spoke passionately about the role of public art in showcasing Hamilton's creative identity. "First of all, it adds interest and intrigue. They're different, they tell stories, which is really important," Anderson told the Waikato Times. He emphasized how these installations support the city's efforts to establish itself as a hub for creativity and artistic expression. "We've got the bug on saying that Hamilton is a creative city - we want to express that, so let's do it," he added.
Anderson also praised the scale and positioning of the Rock sculpture, describing it as perfectly suited to its environment. Using a playful reference, he called it a "Goldilocks sculpture" - "It's not too big, it's not too small, it's just right." He explained that the piece is large enough to catch visitors' attention and draw them in for a closer examination, while remaining appropriately scaled so it doesn't overwhelm the natural beauty of Hayes Paddock Reserve. This careful balance ensures that the artwork enhances rather than dominates its surroundings, creating an inviting space where art and nature coexist harmoniously.
