Queen Charlotte Sound - a 'sad flag' from the Cook's Gardens project
Christine Hellyar, Artist
This is one of the
sculptures
in our collection.
It was made in
Whanganui Region, New Zealand
in 2005.
See full details
Object Detail
Measurements
1195 x 1060mm
Media
fabric
Description
"Christine Hellyar’s project in Wanganui grew from reading the journals of James Cook and his crew, which record their observations and activities on three explorative voyages into the Pacific in the late eighteenth century.
Cook left his mark on the region by introducing European food crops and commodities such as printed floral fabrics and glass products. Hellyar references these by her use of pineapple glass bowls, classically printed fabrics, mosquito nets and doilies to create an installation of Polynesian gods, seed banks, island ‘beds’, painters’ tents and an impressive row of ‘tall Tahitians’.
The installation also references the local sports ground, Cook’s Gardens (original site of Tylee Cottage), so named because army cooks grew vegetables there in the 1850s.
One of New Zealand’s most significant sculptors, Christine Hellyar was Artist-in-Residence at Tylee Cottage from January to May, 2005"
Exhibition label- Cooks Gardens by Greg Donson May 2005
Cook left his mark on the region by introducing European food crops and commodities such as printed floral fabrics and glass products. Hellyar references these by her use of pineapple glass bowls, classically printed fabrics, mosquito nets and doilies to create an installation of Polynesian gods, seed banks, island ‘beds’, painters’ tents and an impressive row of ‘tall Tahitians’.
The installation also references the local sports ground, Cook’s Gardens (original site of Tylee Cottage), so named because army cooks grew vegetables there in the 1850s.
One of New Zealand’s most significant sculptors, Christine Hellyar was Artist-in-Residence at Tylee Cottage from January to May, 2005"
Exhibition label- Cooks Gardens by Greg Donson May 2005
Credit Line
Gift of the artist. Collection of the Sarjeant Gallery, Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui
Collection Type
Permanent collection
Acquisition Date
2005