Denis O'Connor: Rudderstone

Rudderstone is a large marble sculpture by New Zealand artist Denis O'Connor: located on Manuka Way, at the Wellington Botanic Gardens.

"The millions of exploding fossilised leaves vividly trapped in the black marble are a visual experience not unlike the view of the night sky.

"This marble confirms the metaphor of passage to another realm and its high polish reflects the image of those who stand in front of it. The vivid blue and white stripes of the reverse side are abstracted panoramic streams of sea and sky so familiar to the mind's eye of Pacific coast dwellers and maritime voyagers.

"The turquoise blue Azul marble from Brazil and the crisp laundered white of the Carrara marble from Italy glow luminously in this position where direct sunlight is filtered."

Denis O'Connor

Rudderstone was presented to the city in 1997.

Image courtesy of Wellington City Council.