$250k sculpture set for Masterton

Former Masterton sculptor Neil Dawson's computer-generated image of his as-yet-unnamed $250k sculpture suspended by wires above the northern roundabout in the town.

A $250,000 hanging sculpture will be installed at the northern end roundabout in Masterton mid next year.

The sculpture which will be created by world renowned artist Neil Dawson is commissioned by the Aratoi Foundation and fundraising officially commenced last night with the first public viewing at Farriers in Masterton.

The Aratoi Foundation chair Bob Francis said the Foundation will raise the project's funds entirely from grants, donations and fundraising activities with the help of the community.

He said the search to ensure the right work for the special site was important.

"The northern end roundabout is one of the best sites I've encountered over years of travelling to other towns," he said.

"The calibre of artist had to match."

"And when we saw Neil's work we knew he was special. However meeting him confirmed our choice".

Mr Dawson's selection responds directly to feedback from Masterton councillors urging the artist have a Masterton connection.

'We've had promising offers made from people who have been inspired by the work and what it will do for our town".

Mr Dawson attended Masterton Primary and was later a founding student at Masterton Intermediate.

He is an internationally acclaimed sculptor and full-time artist who has worked for local and national governments throughout Australia, UK and Asia.

This project will make Masterton the second Wairarapa town to receive a public art work commissioned by the Aratoi Foundation whose objective to install sculptures throughout the region began in 2012 with the Featherston work, Windgrass.