Collection: Murray Sparrow

For me the magic of sculpture is the developing of an idea that starts out as a drawing and ends up as an object in the real world.

I had taken woodwork, metalwork, technical drawing, and practical art at high school but it wasn't until I had done an introduction to sculpture design at Canterbury University that I saw the possibilities of bringing these all together.

I joined the art department of the World of Wearable Art in 1998 to make props for the awards show and around this time I also designed features for the dance party event, The Gathering.  Over the next few years I began working on a diverse range of Nelson events for the City Council, such as Opera in the park, The Mask Carnival, Hooked on Seafood, and the Lantern Spectacular. 

My first solo exhibition of paintings and graphic works was at Zippies Café. I also exhibited in group shows with other Nelson artists at a number of venues including The Sealevel Sculpture Gallery and the Depot in Auckland.  I participated in the 2003 Mac’s Sculpture Symposium and helped establish The Refinery Gallery and Artspace.  I worked on set making for Peter Jackson’s film King Kong and when the Wearable Art show moved to the Wellington Events Centre, I became a costume technician in the Wardrobe Department.  In Wellington I also exhibited at Thistle Hall, The New Zealand Art Show, and the Scape Sculpture Park in Otaki.

Since moving to Picton/Waitohi I have set up a work space in York Street and have been making metal wall sculptures and freestanding mixed media pieces.