VISIT TARANAKI By lesleyfallais_admin @ 03/31/16 in New Zealand
VISIT TARANAKI My six month journey around New Zealand has been an outstanding experience and I have roamed far and wide. Part way through, while on North Island, I found myself with three days to fill before a planned rendezvous with friends. I started to scrutinise my map and think about where I might go. Perhaps the Taranaki Peninsula? But that would be a long drive and well off my current route. How do I know if I drive all that way it will be worth it? I consult my Rough Guide: “Taranaki’s vibrant provincial capital is New Plymouth. There is a strong arts bias to its attraction, home to the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, which is one of the finest contemporary art galleries in the country”. Decision made! I spend one night on route at Opunake campsite, investment $20. I filled up with petrol, investment $59, Total $79 In my tent I read that the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery has recently been extended to accommodate a large collection of works by Len Lye (an artist that I was unfamiliar with). A New Zealand born sculptor, film-maker and conceptual artist. Len Lye (1901-1980) was born in Christchurch and worked alongside other world renowned contemporary artists in Europe and New York. Just before his death a friend, patron and New Plymouth resident John Mathews helped set up the Len Lye Foundation, which brought most of Lye’s scattered work to New Plymouth.