Home  /  Stories  / 

Terry Stringer- The World Grasped

16 May 2006
A new Terry Stringer 2.4 metres high bronze sculpture was unveiled recently by Dame Catherine Tizard. Commissioned by the Newmarket Arts Trust with financial support from the Newmarket Business…

A new Terry Stringer 2.4 metres high bronze sculpture was unveiled recently by Dame Catherine Tizard.

Commissioned by the Newmarket Arts Trust with financial support from the Newmarket Business Association and the ASB Trusts, the bronze is titled "The World Grasped", taken from The Ascent of Man by Bronowski: A new Terry Stringer 2.4 metres high bronze sculpture was unveiled recently by Dame Catherine Tizard.

Commissioned by the Newmarket Arts Trust with financial support from the Newmarket Business Association and the ASB Trusts, the bronze is titled "The World Grasped", taken from The Ascent of Man by Bronowski:

"We have to understand the world can only be grasped by action, not by contemplation. The hand is more important than the eye - The hand is the cutting edge of the mind."

Terry Stringer has made the following explanation:

"My sculpture has a series of images that are revealed to the viewer as they circle the work. From one direction is seen the head of a boy resting on his hand in thought. From another this hand is seen to be plucking an apple. And from a third direction, this apple is the world supported on the shoulders of Atlas.

"The idea of the work is to engage the passer-by with its changing appearance. The two images of a monumental scale face the traffic in each direction, while a life sized figure stands on the pedestrian side of the footpath. This makes the work something of a puzzle to encounter in a busy street.

"The message of the quoted text, written on the side of the piece, encourages the viewer to continue with the experience of the world around them. And with its emphasis on touch, this makes a case for more sculpture to be part of that world, endorsing the work of the Newmarket Arts Trust."

David Haigh, Chair of the Newmarket Arts Trust said, "This Terry Stringer bronze will be a major part of Newmarket's cultural landscape for years to come. I am sure that this art work will stimulate people's imagination and creativity."

The Parnell Trust has organised a talk by Terry Stringer about his new sculpture in Newmarket, accompanied by
Dr Robin Woodward, art Historian and author & David Haigh, Chair Newmarket
Arts Trust

Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Rd RSVP: Ph 379 2095 x 9704
5.30 pm Thursday 27 April 2006 Email community@parnell.org.nz