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Kōrero: Public and street art

Russell Clark, 'Anchor stones', Auckland

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Russell Clark, 'Anchor stones', Auckland

Painter and sculptor Russell Clark was at the forefront of a new approach to public sculpture that emerged after the Second World War. Contemporary, non-commemorative sculpture began appearing in public places in the 1950s. Prior to this public sculptures were chiefly memorials to people or events.

Clark's 'Anchor stones' (1958–59) were placed next to the Bledisloe Building in central Auckland and have been there ever since. They represent the anchor stones of the Matahouruaand Tainuiwaka (canoes), which transported the first Polynesian migrants to New Zealand in the 13th century. 

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Private collection

by Emily Tutaki

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Kerryn Pollock, Public and street art – Public sculpture, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/44468/russell-clark-anchor-stones-auckland (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Kerryn Pollock, i tāngia i te 12 March 2014.