Thames (NZ): New art work by Bruce Harper

Thames has another art work thanks to Bruce Harper.

Where: on the verge area adjacent to the Shortland Wharf, east of the drive way.

The details are on the Thames Public Art Facebook site:

"Penny Farthing is made of mostly re-used materials including re-cycled galvinised pipe. Needing a few key items before he could begin the project, creator Bruce Harper, happened to mention to Thames builder, John Liddell, to keep an eye out for a wheelbarrow wheel if he ever saw one.

Just days later, John found an old hand forged goldmining wheelbarrow wheel under a house he was working on. The wheel is over 140 years old and the homeowner kindly donated the wheel to Bruce for the sculpture. This is now the smaller wheel."

Other examples of Harper's work can be seen at: The entrance to the aerodrome by the Thames Icon sign, near the Thames Tennis Courts; at the end of Albert Street, at the Burke Street Wharf, and by the Thames Croquet Club.

Thames (NZ): 'Sculpture' miner near Albert Street

Thames has  a growing number of artworks placed along the walkway / cycleway. While many are complicated and in some cases controversial as to their relevance, some of the best ones shine in their simplicity.

The ones in question have been made by Bruce Harper of Thames. Sadly they are so good, that they are often stolen or damaged!

ABOVE: The sculpture north of the Victoria Park tennis courts.

  

ABOVE Left: an old Digger up the Karaka Creek 1909

Source: Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, NZG-19090721-20-1

ABOVE Right: A close-up of the 'digger' sculpture, Thames Foreshore.

Prospectors were a hardy breed, always hopeful that the 'big find' was in the next spot they mined.

So as you wander around the town keep a look-out for the other sculptures made by Bruce. Out by the "Welcome sign' to Thames, at the end of Albert Street, by the Croquet club, and sitting on the remains of the old Burke Street wharf.

Thames (NZ): 'Jandal' Sculpture beside Ngāti Maru Highway.

The Thames Public Art Trust ran a competition some months back for sculptures that could be positioned along the Hauraki Rail Trail - along a 7 km section from Kopu to Thames.

They will offer interest for the walker, cyclist and passing tourist. The magnificent statue for the Thames 150th Commemorations already stands south of the Kauaeranga Bridge.

The winning design for the competition mentioned above was a 'jandal'. Described as being "2.4m by 1m sculpture by Hastings artist Ricks Terstappen won the utilitarian category of the trust's sculpture design competition." Source: Stuff 24 August 2018.

The headlines labelled the new sculpture as the Giant Jandal, I was therefore somewhat surprised to see its size when I finally reached it - walk from the airfield south and it is opposite the garden centre. The jandal is somewhat dwarfed  by the large fence behind, but an interesting addition to Thames' art works. Would have made a great 'seat' at Porritt Park where I am sure children would have delighted in climbing and jumping from the structure.