SCULPTURE MIGHT GO TO MACKENZIE COUNTRY

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33739, 11 January 1975, Page 2

SCULPTURE MIGHT GO TO MACKENZIE COUNTRY

(N.Z. Press Association) TIMARU, Jan. 10. The Mackenzie Country is in the running as a site for a 14ft sculpture of a sheep by Henry Moore. The secretary of the Canterbury Society of Arts (Mr R. Laidlaw, of Christchurch) has been in the region looking at possible suitable areas. A Canterbury painter and resident of Burkes Pass. Mr M. R. J. Angelo, is keen to drum up local support for the project.

Mr Angelo said today that the offer of the Henry Moore piece was made to New Zealand last year. He had a friend in a British meat importing company who got in touch with the New Zealand Meat Board which, in turn, approached arts societies. A proposal to place the sculpture on the Port Hills at Christchurch was rejected because of objections to its breaking the skyline. “Henry Moore has off-

ered it to New Zealand but it would cost the society about $40,000 to have it cast in bronze — probably in West Germany,” Mr Angelo said.

“The society is confident that it could raise the money through grants from the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council or by public benefactors.

“I would like to see the Mackenzie Country get it but I am frightened that people here might not be aware of its importance or significance,” Mr Angelo said. “It could go to Wellington.

“The sculpture, of a sheep in abstract form, stands about 14 feet high and Henry Moore has. I understand, suggested that

it stand in an open space so that sheep can graze around it. “I have seen a model of it and its forms are strongly reminiscent of Mackenzie Country hill forms,” he said. “Henry Moore has done similar outdoor sculptures for siting in Northumberland and in a wooded lakeland setting in Japan. “I do not think we have any similar Henry Moore works in New Zealand — the closest is in Sydney.”

Mr Angelo said that Mr Laidlaw had approached the Mackenzie County clerk (Mr B. J. Dwyer) about the project and also hoped to discuss it with the county chairman (Mr M. G. H. Murray).