Community encouraged to attend sculpture exhibition

The free, open-air exhibition was opened on Sunday 9 September and is expected to remain in position until 28 September.

Artists from 90 countries around the world created the 110 sculptures which have been displayed in a koru design within the Rose Garden reserve next to Gisborne District Council buildings.

These works of copper, bronze and stainless steel were selected from the work of 290 finalists chosen from 2433 entries.

Most of the wide-ranging designs highlight themes of international unity, dream realisation in line with the Games' One World, One Dream slogan and the prospects of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Many works are from China but also from other countries including Australia, Spain, Czech Republic, Greece, Russia, Mexico, United States, Slovakia, Iran, Israel, UK, Iceland, Bengal, Finland and Serbia. No New Zealand artists are represented.

Students from Gisborne’s Toihoukura Maori arts and crafts programme will be working on their own artworks each day alongside the exhibition.

A children’s day will be held on Saturday morning 15 September with art activities and a piper-led procession through the exhibition.

The exhibition has already attracted over 100 million viewers around the world, many of whom have cast votes for their favorite sculptures.

These votes, together with the opinions of a committee of art review experts, will determine the 29 best pieces which will be awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals. Some outstanding sculptures will be displayed around the Olympic competition venues.