LARGE-scale pieces of art have been providing motorists with a visual treat as they drive to and from work.
The pyramid-type creations around industrial estates in Highbrook and East Tamaki have been made by sculptor and artist Aaron McConchie, who has used wooden pallets to create The Continuous Work of (a) Giant(s).
“It’s child-like,” he says. “I’ve sort of played with pallets, like when you use to stack playing cards. It’s sort of a giant’s version of that.
“I wanted to create something that was particularly accessible at speed, as the cars are travelling past. That was the premise for these works.”
Despite their size and weighty look, Mr McConchie and his installation team struggled to get all nine pieces put in place as they battled the weather.
“We were up on a cherry-picker in the horrific wind and rain.
“It was a bit of a struggle but we got there.”
Industrial and sustainable themes were the basis for the creations, and the artist says using water-based paints – and the pallets’ robust construction – result in a durable artwork that, at the end of its lifespan, will disappear back into the system from which it came.
His works will be on display until January and, although most people who see the pieces will be motorists “zooming past at 70 or 80kph”, those who take the time to step outside their vehicles and see the pieces close up will be treated with their finer details.
The exterior pallets are decorated with stencil art, “sort of a twisted version of a playing card – they’re not very uniformed, the design is morphed”.
For people who do venture closer for an inspection, Mr McConchie says they will be rewarded.
“I think that it is a valid investigation,” he says.
His “exaggerated scaled work” took about three months to construct and complete, and it’s a case of the bigger the better.
“Large-scale public work is what I enjoy doing.”
Visit www.aaronmcconchie.com for more of his public displays.
