Arty ingenuity with No.8 Wire

Gina Ferguson with her winning art piece, Wear 'n' tear.

The Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award sees artists turn No.8 wire into something stunning, with thousands of dollars in cash up for grabs.

Auckland artist Gina Ferguson took out the top prize this year with her work Wear ‘n’ tear, at a ceremony last month.

She won $7000 prize was awarded for the winning work’s “stunning visual impact and inventive use of gorse, soap and wire,” says judge Virginia King. The renowned sculptor says the imagination, skill and creativity put into the winning creation is incredible.

“Wear ‘n’ tear resonated with me on so many levels – the artist’s thought-provoking concept and creative transformation of No.8 wire left me with a sense of intrigue,” she said. “The task of whittling the competition entries down to my top three has been extremely tough but also an immense honour. I’m in awe of all the works submitted this year – I feel truly inspired.”

King says the annual open call to artists across Aotearoa continues to provide a unique platform to reinvent an everyday farming product and turn it into a compelling work of art.

The works represented a cross-section of artistic styles and inspirations that range from climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic to rural tales and farming life.

NZNFS Chief Executive, Peter Nation, said it was difficult to choose a winner for the President’s Choice Award due to the high calibre of the finalists’ work.

“The No.8 Wire National Art Award has proven to be as inspiring, thought-provoking and delightful as the first exhibition back in 1997. All of the artworks on display are stunning.”


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