Lollokiki, hive of creativity in Golden Bay

0 Comment|

One of the first things we do when we arrive in a new place is scout out what’s happening at the Visitors’ Centre. Takaka was no different. We received a very warm welcome from the woman behind the counter.

“What do you like?” she asked

“Gardens, art, garden art and of course some nice walks for our dog” I replied.

“You are going to love Lollokiki” she said. “It’s a sculpture garden.”

Lollokiki is the collective name of two Takaka artists Toy Murchie and Kas Muller who have been making art professionally together since 1997. Lollokiki are the resident artists of Sculpture705. Sculpture705 situated in Pohara, Golden Bay is an art complex comprised of a Courtyard, Studio Shop, Archway, Sculpture Garden and Workshop. Sculpture 705 also hosts the art gallery, Loft Gallery.

Before we made it to Sculpture705 we were browsing through ART Vault, a gallery in Takaka. Lots of the art on display appealed, including “tree jewellery”- interesting stones, metal shapes and other objects wound decoratively together with metal, designed to adorn a tree. Had to have one of those. As the company treasurer was paying for the latest acquisition, the woman behind the counter enthusiastically talked about the artists – Lollokiki! “Their sculpture garden – it’s amazing. They have made all of the art. They work so hard.”

She also recommended the lovely walk to Wainui Falls. So the next day on our way to the Falls we called in to Sculpture705. The first thing that strikes you is the scale of the creativity of the resident artists – Toy and Kas. All of the work on display has been created by them.

The artwork ranges from jewellery to large outdoor sculptures. Such an eclectic range of materials. Kas was telling me they have had to cut out the odd tree when developing their garden. It hasn’t gone to waste. Instead it is recreated as a beautiful piece of artwork and several new trees are planted in their place.

The versatility of the creative works is an eye opener. In many examples the link to eco sustainability and the fragility of the planet is on display. One of the first works in the courtyard is a large metallic figure striding forward – “Modernity striding through the wilderness, nature crawling back on her wake. Leaving behind nothing but relics, reminiscent of ancient civilisations”. Art with a message.

The Artists’ sense of humour is also very prevalent. Multicoloured ancient jelly babies, fecund pottery figures, you can’t help but smile wandering around their haven of creativity.

Toy was saying they have had an excellent season with lots of visitors and it’s not hard to see why. Sculpture705 is open to visitors at weekends during Winter and 7 days a week during Summer. Call in and be amazed.