Gibbs Farm is an open-air sculpture park located in Kaipara Harbour, 47 kilometres (29 mi) north of Auckland, New Zealand.[1] It contains the largest collection of large-scale outdoor sculptures in New Zealand. It is the private art collection of New Zealand businessman Alan Gibbs; however, it is open to the public on select days throughout the year, usually once per month, on a bookings-essential basis.[1]
| Gibbs Farm | |
|---|---|
 88.5° ARC x 8' by Bernar Venet | |
 | |
| Type | private open-air sculpture park |
| Location | Kaipara Harbour, New Zealand |
| Nearest city | Auckland |
| Area | 990 acres |
| Created | 1991 |
| Operated by | Alan Gibbs |
Background
editAfter purchasing the 400 hectares (990 acres) of land for "The Farm" in 1991,[2] Gibbs has collected major artworks by many artists from New Zealand and overseas. Much of the artwork is commissioned and, as such, incorporates elements of the landscape into the artwork.[3] The farm also includes several exotic animals such as emus and giraffes,[1] a garage where visitors can glimpse the Gibbs Aquada through the window, and a full-scale wild west town complete with a saloon (in the installation called Grief).[4][5][6] Grief was built through the inspiration of Gibbs' architect son-in-law, Noel Lane,[6] who now cares for the property with Gibbs' daughter Amanda.[7] The town is on a private area of the farm and is not open to the public.
The sculpture Electrum (for Len Lye), by Eric Orr, is the world's largest Tesla coil (11.6 metres or 38 feet tall) and numerous artworks are large enough to be seen from satellite imagery at high magnification.
Gibbs is a major sponsor of ACT New Zealand, and most years, the party holds its annual conference at the Gibbs Farm.[8]
Artworks
editPhotos of artwork
edit-
Horizons by Neil Dawson -
Red Cloud Confrontation in Landscape by Leon van den Eijkel -
The Mermaid by Marijke de Goey -
Te Tuhirangi Contour by Richard Serra -
Green and White Fence by Daniel Buren -
Dismemberment, Site 1 by Anish Kapoor -
88.5° ARC x 8 by Bernar Venet -
Tango Dancers by Marijke de Goey
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Light, Liz (25 October 2015). "Gibbs Farm: The magnificent megaphone". The New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ^ "The Farm: Alan Gibbs | Rob Garrett, Curator". Robgarrettcfa.com. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ^ "Gibbs Farm". Gibbs Farm. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ^ "A Land Art Sanctuary Filled With Eye-Bending Masterpieces". Co.Design. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
- ^ Rotherham, Fiona (1 August 2012). "Gibbs lives a life of 'serious fun'". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ^ a b c "Book extract: Serious Fun – The Life and Times of Alan Gibbs, Chapter 16". National Business Review. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
- ^ "The Farm: Alan Gibbs |". The Farm: Alan Gibbs | Rob Garrett, Curator. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
- ^ Jones, Nicholas (27 February 2016). "Act conference looks toward next election". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
External links
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