Hamilton artist Gaye Jurisich has taken the top honour in 2019’s Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award with her captivating piece labelled ‘Snare’.

The awards are hosted and coordinated by Waikato museum, partnered by Farmlands cooperative and supported by the New Zealand National Fieldays Society.

Judge Linda Tyler praised Gaye’s piece of art for using the space effectively. “Often with sculpture, people think that it’s fine to have something wall-mounted.

“The whole attraction of this piece is the fact it is sprouting out of the walls and using the floors as well, so it is a real installation,” says Linda.

“Gaye’s sculpture really captured the energy of the material well. No.8 wire is really strong stuff, and when it’s coiled it’s got all that springing energy. It really did express the quality and energy that’s inherent in No.8 wire.”

‘Snare’ is one of 25 artworks created by 23 artists on display at ArtsPost Galleries & Shop showcasing the value, versatility and symbolism of No.8 wire through the creation of artworks made from this icon of Kiwi agriculture.

New Zealand National Fieldays Society president Peter Carr awarded his President’s Choice to Dagmar Elliot of Te Awamutu for her piece The No.8 Pataka.

The Pataka, or Maori house, struck a chord with Peter who appreciated its connection with food. “This piece really symbolised food, farming and Fieldays.

“The fact the roof of the little house was made from rusty-looking No.8 Wire paid great homage to the material’s durability showing that it will last forever,” says Peter.

Second place went to Bev Goodwin and Jeff Thomson of Auckland for their clever creation ‘Re-coil’, which Linda says is a witty idea using shapes making a heavy material seem light and buoyant.

Jasmine Clark’s ‘Kupenga’ received third place, with Linda very impressed with the skill involved in weaving the wire to make it seem as if it were a delicate natural fibre rather than a strong metal.

The reference to the ingenuity of traditional fishing methods within the Maori culture gave it great background.

The No.8 Wire National Art Award exhibition at ArtsPost Galleries & Shop is open daily 10am-5pm until June 9.