I Like Your Form

An image of one of my favourite sculptures in Christchurch. Christchurch city centre is such an interesting back drop for art. The city is constantly shifting as space is opened and closed as buildings come down and new ones go up. This sculpture is on display at The Arcades which is on the site of a demolished hotel.

"I Like your Form is by Lonnie Hutchinson and is a 50-metre-long eel trap, or hinaki.

The giant hinaki is a reminder of traditions that might not be immediately apparent in the midst of Christchurch’s hectic rebuild. Hutchinson says the Avon River plays a unique role in the traditional economy and culture of local Māori.

“The intervention of the kupenga (net) tensioned between the two sets of arcades is a reclaiming of ‘site’ that is of significance to Ngāi Tahu.”

The sculpture was specially lit during FESTA.