Sculptures being created in Hastings's Albert Square

Local Bridge Pa artist Claire Sadler said her work was to show the culture and diversity of the people of Hawke's Bay. Photo / Warren Buckland

Back again for its second year the Seed Sculpture Symposium is transforming Hastings' Albert Square into a working hub for sculptors.

Running until Saturday, the event sees 10 local artists working with a variety of materials including timber, clay, recycled materials, stone carving, bronze and wood.

Each artist will create a minimum of one piece of artwork during the four-day event working for a minimum of six hours on site each day.

Hastings Community Arts development manager Pitsch Leiser says the event is a great way to see the development of the sculptures and how a simple piece of material can turn into a work of art.

"It is enriching to see work as it is being developed, both for the community and the artists, so often we see a finished exhibition but are unaware of the intricacies of the process of creation. The SEED symposium gives the public the chance to get up close with how work is created over a number of days, ask questions and even watch for a few minutes or hours if you have the time."

David Thompson is helping some of the 10 artists during the four-day event. Photo / Warren Buckland

One of the artists, Claire Sadler, said her work was to show the culture and diversity of the people of Hawke's Bay.

"This work is part of a new series of wood sculptures that I have started this year.

"Using locally sourced, rescued old totara fence posts, the planned carvings will be stylised figures celebrating the ethnic diversity of the people of Hawke's Bay," Sadler said.
"The pieces will be oiled and can be displayed indoors or outdoors."

The public will have a chance to purchase the artwork at the end of the symposium.

Works will be offered for sale by private negotiation or through an auction process based on potential buyers expressing interest in purchasing works during the period of the symposium.

The event will run from 10am-6pm every day until Saturday.