Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, May 30, 2023
Artist Ricks Terstappen from Hawke’s Bay has won the top prize in this year’s Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award for his artwork “Connectivity”. The awards ceremony was held last week, on May 25, 2023 at ArtsPost Galleries & Shop in Hamilton Kirikiriroa.
The annual Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award is a renowned competition challenging artists from across New Zealand to transform the iconic agricultural product, No.8 wire, into inspiring art.
The annual competition, now in its 26th year, is hosted by Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato and supported by the New Zealand National Fieldays Society (NZNFS). Artists are challenged to transform the iconic Kiwi farming product No.8 wire into art and compete for a share of nearly $10,000 in prizes.
“Mr Terstappen’s work is a powerful metaphor for rural communities” said 2023 guest judge, sculptor Hannah Kidd. “Neighbours can be quite some physical distance apart but connected in ways that support each other. Therefore, it is these connection points that give the structure its dynamic strength.”
About the Artist
Ricks Terstappen is an artist born in Limburg, Netherlands and emigrated to New Zealand in 1978.
His work can be seen in large-scale public sculpture and is also held in many private collections. Ricks makes his sculptural creations using metals, wood and found materials. He has often undertaken public commissions and he exhibits frequently in Hawke’s Bay and throughout the country.
His particular philosophy and style has led to many collaborative works with other artists on large-scale works such as the Performance Platform in Hastings’ inner city and the Wetland Neighbourhood Playground at Barry Curtis Park in Manukau City. A recognised senior Hawke’s Bay artist, Ricks was one of three co-curators of the first Wildflower Sculpture Exhibition in 2008.
About the art award 2023
Reflecting on her experience as this year’s judge, Ms Kidd said “It was amazing to see these sculptures in person in the gallery, and each of the artworks spoke to me. It was a hard decision to choose just three winners from the finalists. Congratulations to you all.”
Since its inception in 1997, the competition’s annual open call for artists and creatives from across New Zealand has provided a platform for reinventing an everyday farming product into art. The Awards also play a crucial role in fostering a stronger connection between urban and rural communities.
Newly appointed New Zealand National Fieldays Society Chair Jenni Vernon selected “In Case of Emergency- Break Glass” by Healther Olesen for the Chair’s Choice Award.
Delighted to have the opportunity to select this category winner for the first time, Jenni was impressed to see how Heather had fashioned such an exquisite piece from the product she sees daily around her rural property on the Raglan Coast.
“This art competition and exhibition really is phenomenal and showcases Kiwi ingenuity at its finest. The talent of these artists, to fashion these works from good old No.8 wire, a staple of New Zealand farms, is just incredible” said Ms Vernon. “The Society champions innovation, as it is one of our strategic pillars and these works are so innovative.”
Second prize was awarded to Jeff Thomson and Bev Goodwin for their piece “Cyclonic” and third place went to John McKenzie for “641E9372”.
The finalists’ artworks will be on display until Sunday 2 July at ArtsPost, located at 120 Victoria Street, Hamilton Kirikiriroa. Entry to the exhibition is free, and all works are available for purchase.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
