Then, as luck would have it, I met the Business Development and Event Manager of Auckland Botanic Gardens & Auckland Domain Wintergardens, Amy Pollard. She kindly looked through their archives and found this photograph of Bryan Verey taken by Chester Nicholls at the opening of the bi-yearly sculptural event with his artwork – a painted wooden carving of a magpie in 2015. ‘Magpie’ sold for $1300 from the indoor exhibition. His outdoor artwork ‘Over the Farm Gate’ of a beady eyed magpie sitting atop a rustic farm gate inscribed with their sound, quoting New Zealand poet Denis Glover, “and ‘Quardle Oodle Ardle Wardle Doodle’ the magpies said.”
As an artist myself, I believe it is important to acknowledge the artisans who work with the artists to realise their visions.
Gael Baldock
