Sculpture in the Gardens 2009-10, Auckland Botanical Gardens  7 Nov 2009 - 14 Feb 2010
Bev McConnell has been gardening at Ayrlies in Whitford for over 40 years and the Auckland Botanic Gardens has always been available to feed her thirst for knowledge.

Under the expert guidance and diplomacy of Jack Hobbs and his team, the Botanic Gardens has blossomed, groaned, struggled and matured into a vibrant and fascinating collection of plants displayed authentically in a way that stimulates visitor interest.

Gardens are living art forms and offer a natural association with other expressions of creative art. Appropriately, the 'Big Rock Dog', the previous Supreme Award winner - a sculpture by Barry Lett - now resides in Bev’s garden at Ayrlies, guardian for her gardens. Barry is delighted with the opportunities that winning the previous McConnell Property Supreme Award (and selling the Big Rock Dog) have given him.

“It has meant that rather than focusing on selling work to pay off the mortgage I have been able to work away at new ideas and experiment to my heart’s content, painting assemblages that are wall pieces. This time has been so very valuable without having to worry about making an income – it is freedom,” he says.

Barry is again one of the successful sculptors exhibiting this year but this year’s work will not be a dog but a grove of trees. His piece has been dedicated to and inspired by the work of late eco-historian Geoff Park , ‘Nga Uruora –The Groves of Life’ which explores the loss of New Zealand’s lowland forest.

It is a real pleasure for the McConnell family and McConnell Property to be able to sponsor the exhibition again this year, combining our interest in the Gardens and providing an opportunity to encourage New Zealand artists in their work, within the setting and ambience of the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

To find out more about the exhibition click here