Jan Huijbers Sculpture

MOVING ART:
New Plymouth artist Jan Huijbers in front of his Sea Leopard sculpture

A soaring moving steel sculpture now graces the Puke Ariki landing.

The 7.5-metre-tall artwork, named Sea Leopard, is designed by New Plymouth artist Jan Huijbers and built by Fitzroy Yachts.

Mr Huijbers said the sculpture is based on the markings found on the Conus leopardus shell. The shapes move in the wind.

"The patterns are out of normal context. They are not land-based and so they look contemporary, but actually the designs are millions of years old," he said.

Sea Leopard is one of eight sculptures entered in the Kinetika festival - a fusion of art and engineering.

Mr Huijbers said people have a responsibility to care for all the animals of the world and his sculpture reflected this. "It's a message to protect the sea," the 65-year-old said.

Kinetika runs from December 4 to 12 at Puke Ariki.

The eight sculptures are split in two sections - in the first, the art is designed and built by the entrants, and in the second, the works are designed by artists and submitted to be built by Taranaki engineering companies.

The best design will be decided by public vote and there is $5000 of prizes up for grabs.