New Exhibition - Estuary Arts
"Boats and Birds" Sculpture by Michael Irwin
24 September to 20 October 2019
Michael has always had a love of boats and birds from his earliest memories. He loves the form and shape of both and how they can dip and soar through their respective environments. He has spent many hours from an early age tramping, climbing, sailing and swimming where he learnt to love and enjoy the unique coastal and mountain environments. Nothing is more enjoyable than cutting through the sea, with all sails set, with the birds soaring in the wind; or sitting on a mountain peak or surrounded by huge trees of our bush. Both the bush and the sea have been places of adventure and quietness that have inspired his sculpture. The stone used in the sculptures are Taranaki andesite (hard and grey) and Oamaru stone (white).
Michael has been a teacher and educator of art for over 50 years. He has organised whole school art events and assisted children and teachers to create their own special art works. He specialised in art at Hamilton Teachers’ College where he first began sculpturing.
The last 20 years of his employment was as a Senior Lecturer at Massey University, where he was a programme coordinator for teacher training and lectured in the Arts and how to teach and develop Creativity with children. He is a member of the Te Kupenga Stone Sculpture Society in New Plymouth, where he regular travels to carve stone. He has taught night classes in pottery and painting, and is a tutor at Estuary Arts Centre.
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
Make a hearty dish. Take just half a minute. Add four parts of kestrel. Then just add one. What have you made?
(Trev from Silverdale kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Trev!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.5% Yes, supporting people is important!
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26.2% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.4% ... It is complicated
Poll: Should complete designs be shared with the public, or should the community help shape the designs from the start?
The Post recently shared an opinion piece on the Harbour Crossing and why a more democratic approach might be needed 🚗🚲👟
While most decisions sit within the political arena, many organisations—like NZTA—manage long-term projects that go beyond party lines. Politics can sometimes disrupt progress, and the next Harbour Crossing is a big decision that will affect all Aucklanders.
We’d love your thoughts: Should near-complete, shovel-ready designs be shared with the public, or should the community have a hand in shaping the designs from the start?
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80.6% Community feedback and transparency is needed.
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19.4% No. This would be impossible in practice.
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