Hamilton sculptor bullish on art

Hamilton sculptor Marti Wong has taken the phrase "bull-headed" to a new level with his Fieldays No8 Wire National Art Award entry.

The bull's head, made almost completely of the ubiquitous fencing wire, symbolises the "condition of humanity", Wong says.

"Humans are stubborn. And the No8 wire is about fenced-in thoughts and ideals which make people stubborn. It's about fencing in the brain, keeping in old ideas and keeping out new ideas."

Entitled Bull Headed, the sculpture is one of 17 finalists in the Fieldays award which will be judged tomorrow night at the ArtsPost gallery in Hamilton where the works are also being exhibited.

It is the first time Wong, 40, has entered the awards, which coincide each year with the National Agricultural Fieldays at Mystery Creek, near Hamilton.

The awards, which started in 1997, attract inventive and unique pieces of art that must be 75 per cent No8 wire.

Corrugated iron sculptor Jeff Thomson will judge the awards. The winner will receive $4000.

ArtsPost co-ordinator Marion Manson said there were 24 entries this year - down from 29 last year.

An exhibition of the works will run at ArtsPost in Victoria St from June 8 to July 16.

Fieldays starts next week.