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Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf

Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf, Oneroa: Hours, Address, Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf Reviews: 4/5

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Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf

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Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf
4
72
#7 of 15 things to do in Oneroa
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas
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About
Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf is arguably the most influential of all New Zealand’s ‘galleries without walls’, and has gone on to inspire similar exhibitions around the world. Set amongst some of the most magnificent coastal landscape in the world, the undulating walkway, which snakes its way around the headland from above Matiatia towards Church Bay on Waiheke Island, has served as a temporary home for pieces created by a who’s who of New Zealand art, including Virginia King, David McCracken, Brett Graham, Phil Price, Gregor Kregar, Sriwhana Spong, Jeff Thomson, Chris Bailey, Anton Forde, Kazu Nakagawa, Denis O’Connor and Chris Booth. Sculpture on the Gulf is only a 35 minute journey by ferry from downtown Auckland. The next event will be held in 2022, and exciting plans are underway for an exhibition like no other. Our Matiatia headland is tūrangawaewae – a place for all artists to stand tall.
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2-3 hours
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4.0
72 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
31
Average
10
Poor
4
Terrible
3
Susan M
Auckland, New Zealand33 contributions
another brilliant Sculpture on the Gulf experience
Mar 2019 • Friends
Never miss this wonderful world-class event and 2019 did not disappoint. Terrific site- specific works, especially by master sculptors at the top of their game producing consistently thoughtful, brilliantly executed works.
Written 1 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SandLexia
Auckland Central, New Zealand107 contributions
Much better this year with hardly any plastic featured
Mar 2019 • Couples
We thought the selection of sculptures was greatly improved this year with a return to sculptures that look like sculptures, It's a glorious walk at any time anyway. The organisers had added an additional area in the courtyard by the library in Oneroa which we thought was a bit of a waste of time as there was no facility to make the $10 "donation" and get the armband there and little information about the sculptures displayed, Other than that, a big improvement in quality. Highly recommended for the active - there are quite a lot of steps.
Written 19 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AKL-Chris
Auckland, New Zealand17 contributions
anyone in charge of selecting the installations???
Mar 2019 • Couples
I have visited this art trail few times previously and it was always a great experience, amazing artwork on display, some with captivating interacting features or playing with the surrounding light and land in very clever and amazing ways. Sadly in 2019 it looks like the new standard is rubbish bags on a string high up in the wind.

Glass, stainless, rusted steel pieces or encrusted woodworking with extensive hours of labour behind them appear to be long gone. Vast majority of the pieces this year appear to be put together over a weekend (at the most). Very few pieces would be accepted as art which most people would agree to display on the front lawn.

Maybe the organizers should have a board appointed to select the art to be displayed, rather than just opening the field to whoever arrives there first to claim their plot, which appears to be the case for the 2019 edition. If they have a board appointed for this purpose, then those people did not do their job.

Instead of larger number of small shuttles which I recall to be used the previous years now there is one large bus only, we have waited approx 30 min for the bus to come back. Not sure everybody in the cue got on the bus...

Hopefully the 2019 edition will not set a trend or become a new norm. Definitely planning to get there next time but I will be reading the reviews with interest, before getting on the ferry... I gave it two stars and not one, as the island has so much more to offer apart from the art trail.
Written 17 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
christine c
Auckland, New Zealand82 contributions
Soooo disappointing this year
Mar 2019 • Friends
Previous experiences were fabulous but sadly not this time. So many pieces didnt even appear to be sculptures at all. More like bits of existing things put together rather than an artistic creation of form. The majority we looked at and thought 'why' ? ie why did somebody choose this for this exhibition and often... why is it deemed a sculpture? Quite a number were more like installations than sculptures ( & not great ones) which was not what we expected or wanted to see.
The Liberace piece is a standout and we generally agreed about 6 - 7 pieces were very good. We'd heard last year's exhibition had been disappointing but surely it cant have been worse than this years? Art is of course subjective but I have to ask 'When is a Sculpture not a Sculpture?' Answer: Check out Gibbs Farm Sculpture Park to see what real SCULPTURES are ! On the positive, the walk is fabulous with great views.
Please next year can we have sculptures??
Written 16 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gay G
Auckland, New Zealand68 contributions
Stunning scenery, wonderful sculptures
Mar 2019 • Couples
The views are magnificent; the organisation thorough; transport to the island easy. This is the fifth time we have visited the Sculpture on the Gulf exhibition over ten years and each time we are blown away. (Not literally!) 2km walk over undulating terrain. Would recommend for older children although many people were toting younger children in back packs. Easy access also to the township of Oneroa where there are lots of Cafes. Open till 24 March
Written 2 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Neville O
Auckland68 contributions
An absolute must on Waiheke
Apr 2017 • Family
Whether you are an art lover or not, this is a must-see. Nothing on display is what you call traditional art and some are even quite hard to figure out, but it is challenging and fascinating.
Written 4 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sandracmcgrath
Seattle, WA85 contributions
Not open again til 2019
Nov 2017
Not open again until next year. That’s a shame. We would have liked to have gone. Check their website for dates.
Written 20 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Claire M
Waiheke Island, New Zealand124 contributions
An inspiration
Apr 2017 • Friends
Well there is sure lots to see here and a beautiful walk too. Lots of amazing art combined with breathtaking views you can't go wrong
Written 7 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cherry M
Auckland, New Zealand85 contributions
Sculpture in the Gulf
Feb 2017 • Friends
This is a MUST see when you are in Auckland. They only hold this event biennial (every second year) so the next event will be in 2019. You should google the event for more info. It is a fabulous ferry excursion from Auckland City to beautiful Waiheke Island. Some of the art sculptures are amazing- some thought provoking- some 'interesting'. It is a great walk around the stunning coastline too
Written 18 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Eor O
Auckland, New Zealand254 contributions
Bi-annual headland sculpture walk
Feb 2017 • Family
We have done the Headland Sculpture walk since it was started and have noticed the improvements over the years. This year however the displays/artwork somehow did not excite as much as in previous years. There was also a huge crowd so it was difficult to see some of the artwork and instead of having a nice walk, we were constantly surrounded by masses of people.
Written 10 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf
Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf is open:
  • Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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