Category: Hidden Art

Royal Albert Dock Sculptures

Hidden from view for most people there are 2 distinct  and different sculptures. Unless you are a local or possible work in the area you would miss both of these.

Never be afraid to go explore of the beaten track,take time to walk the streets and see what is there. Keep an open mind and you will be surprise what you can find.

The main one is located on the roundabout that heads down to the London City Airport and can not be missed.

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It stands 12 metres high and it was  unvield on  5 July 2012  on the Connaught Bridge Road, Silvertown, London Borough of Newham. At just over twelve metres high, it is the tallest bronze sculpture in the United Kingdom.  Athena was made at the Zara Modern Art Foundries, Braintree, Essex by Nasser Azam Note 1

While near the DLR station for the Royal Albert Dock  the Group Polo Sculpture is located near the stretch of water that overlooks the London City Airport.

This was unvield on the 23rd August 2012 as part of the China/UK Friendship.

It is called the “Polo Group Sculpture” made by Huang Jian, a renowned Chinese sculptress. It aims to carry forward the Olympic spirit, developing friendship among different countries. Currently, two sets of the group sculpture have been completed – “Emperor Ming Huang and Lady Yang Playing Polo” and “China-UK Friendship Polo Match”. The creation of the group sculpture will continue for every Olympic Games in the future.

The “Polo Match” sculpture is a surreal piece based on two Chinese ancient polo fans and two British modern polo lovers who travel through time and space and gather in London’s Olympic Park for a polo game.Note 2

Note 1 Details from the Wikipedia site.

Note 2 Details from the Newham Recorder.

©wildbaynz January 2017

Out There in Wellington:Hidden Art: Looking and Listening for the Sea

  This piece is located in the Lady Norwood Begonia House in Wellingtons Botanical Gardens.
  The piece was made in 1992 by Paul Dibble and was donated to the Botanical Gardens by Sir Frank and Nola, Lady Holmes and was installed in its current location in November 2010

 The Piece shows a mermaid who is listerning to the sea through a shell. Also with the sculpture is a rabbit which is there to even the sculpture out.

 The piece has been placed on recycled Kauri and a telegraph pole pedestal made from Jarrah.

Paul Dibble  Info on Paul Dibble
Wellington Botanical Gardens   All things Botanical Gardens
James/wildbayNZ/windy hill flying club.
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Out There and Behond: Wellington’s Hidden Art: The Doo Doo’s

This piece was created by Peter Kundycki in 1998. It sits on the south coast of the North Island between Moa Point ( nr Wellington Airport) and Tarakena Bay ( below the Turkish Memorial: Ataturk Memorial)
 It has been given the name of The Doo Doos  before the sewage treatment plant was constructed at Moa Point the raw sewage was piped out into the Cook Straits and the stones reminded the locals of what was seen floating out and around the area.



 The only way that you can see the piece is either by car where you can park near by or walk from Lyall Bay passing underneath the southern end of the airport, or you walk the Eastern Walk Way which will take you by the sculpture.



 Take time to enjoy the great views that this coast line has to offer.

Eastern Walk Way.  A brief details on the walk.

James/ wildbaynz/windy hill flying club.

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Out There in Wellington: Hidden Art at Moore Wilson.



  Moore Wilson is located on the corner of Tory and College Street in Wellington NZ. So in many respects of the beaten track for those visiting Wellington.



 The pieces of art are located outside the main entrance to  its food court. Also you can fill up a 2 litre empty water bottle of pure Artesion Water for a Gold Coin donation.
 The water comes from a well that was sunk in 1923 to a depth of 497 and is called the Thompson Lewis Crystal Spring.
 The main raised goes to support local good causes including Wellington Free Ambulance and the WestPac Life Flight.

Moore Wilson  Companies main web site.

Thompson & Lewis Co  History of the Company.

Windy Hill Flying Club/ WildBayNZ.


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Out There in Wellington: Hidden Art: Geometric Growth,

 This is one of the oldest modern piece if sculptures in Wellington. It was first installed in 1974 and in 1989 was removed to make way for the development of Wellington’s Civic Square.
 Originally located at the corner of Victoria and Mercer Street. It was damaged during the move so was put into storage until 2006.
 After repairs it was reinstalled at its current location in 2006.
 Its current location near the Amora Hotel and next to the Michael Fowler Centre on Wakefield Street.

 It was made by Guy Ngan.

James/windy hill flying club.

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Out There in Wellington: Hidden Art: F69 Propeller



 Located between Te Papa and Waitangi Park is a section of sunken ground that runs from Wakefield Street and Chaffers Marina.
 At the Marina end is a wooden bridge that crosses this area. Located on the right of this bridge if crossing from the Te Papa end you will see a propeller.
 This was placed here in 2006 after it was donated by the Rotary Club of Wellington.

 The Propeller came from the NZ Navy Ship Wellington which served with the navy for 18 years and before that it was named HMS Bacchante which served with the UK Navy for 12 years before that.

 The boat now sites at the bottom of the Cook Straits near Island Bay (South Coast of the North Island)       after being sunk. It is now used for diving on and around and also for it to become a reef.

James/ Windy Hill Flying Club

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Out There in Welllington:Hidden Art:Spinning Top

 This one of many pieces of art commissioned by Wellington Council. Some you can come across without looking. This is one that many visitors can easily miss.

 It is Woodward Street (opposite Waring Street) and is located near the steps that take you up to The Terrace.

 It was installed in 2002 and is made of Stainless Steel and was made by Robert Jahnke.

James/ Windy Hill Flying Club.

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Out There in Wellington: Sculptures, Grand Head

  Hidden away along Victoria Street overlooking Wellington’s Tourist Office on Wakefield Street is a sculpture  by Terry Stringer and was completed in 1986.

  A little of the beaten track for most visitors to Wellington it can easily be missed which is a shame.
 It was completed in 1986 as as been at the same location since then.

James/ Windy Hill Flying Club.
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Out There in Wellington: Paddy the Wanderer.

Death of Paddy the Wanderer

 Paddy the Wanderer is a interesting tale from Wellington. Paddy was a Terrier (Airedale)who during the Great Depression (1930’s) would wander the streets of Wellington.
 Many people became friends of Paddy and was well known for greeting sailors as they arrived or departed from Wellington.

 On many occasions Paddy would make his way onto a Steamer that would work its way round the coast of New Zealand.
 Paddy had also crossed “The Ditch” to Australia  on a number occasions. It is also report that he also made his way to San Francisco.



 Paddy was given the title of Assistant Night Watchman by the Wellington Harbour Board. The job was to keep undesirables out as well as rodents.

 On 17th July 1939 he died after a cold period. His funeral included 12 taxis and at least 1 traffic officer.  It is said that funeral brought Wellington to a standstill.

 There is a sad aspect to the story. Paddy had been given to the daughter of R Gardner, it was after her Daughter died 11 years later, that Paddy ran away.

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Paddy the Wanderer drinking fountain in Wellington, New Zealand.

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 A memorial Drinking Fountain including a dog drinking bowl is located out the Museum of Fine Arts. It is located near the TSB arena and opposite Post Office Square.
 Also a plaque is located the near by with all the story.
 The fountain was made in 1947 and was made from pieces of stone from the then bombed Waterloo Bridge, London.

 Three biographies have been written about Paddy over the years. and 1 book called Paddy The Wanderer based on Paddy written by Dianne Haworth. It was published on 1997 by Harper Collins.

James/ Windy Hill Flying Club

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