*Boy Walking* by Ronnie van Hout depicts a larger-than-life child strolling with purpose and explores the notion of a child transitioning toward adulthood. Towering above the streetscape of Dominion Road, the figure wears bright shorts and a bold t-shirt and walks confidently with a determined stride, head up, focused, with an assured smile.



The inspiration for the sculpture was drawn from the artist’s 1995 *Mephitis* series of black and white photographic prints, which are currently held in the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa. *Mephitis* depicts figures moving from outside to inside, and finally into abstraction. One of these photographs, a single figure of a child walking through a New Zealand landscape into an interior, has remained with the artist.



Van Hout says he felt ready to bring the concept to life, as in many ways he understands the walking figure better now. “The act of moving forward, and the developmental position of the child are both positions of constant transition, or of permanent becoming. It is the suspension of arrival or a delaying of the end.”



“The figure seemed so self-determined and forceful, and that appealed to me,” says van Hout. “In literal terms this is an eleven or twelve-year-old child, but it could be anyone. We’re all constantly becoming. We’re always learning. Always moving forward.”

Boy Walking

Auckland’s smallest house stands on a tiny plot of land in Potters Park, Mt Eden, surrounded by lush grass. The bronze artwork was created by Auckland-based artist John Radford, in honour of the park’s late landowner, Frederick Seymour Potter. Less than a metre wide, this sculpture is a miniature replica of Potter’s family home, which he built and lived in until his death in 1941.



*The Sound of Rain* points to the New Zealand quarter-acre-section dream and weatherboard villas that were built in the 1900s. There are phrases that refer to the land’s history as a council-run fruit and vegetable plantation, used for fundraising during WWII. Out front is a welcome in Māori and English, with the words *vegetable garden* and *plum tree* inscribed out the back. Radford also created small-scale, hand-crafted furniture and installed fibre optic lighting. At night, a warm glow comes from the villa’s windows, turning the house into a tiny beacon within the park.



Potter, an English-born businessman and philanthropist, donated land to various organisations across Auckland on the condition that they would be used as places for children to play. He gifted the corner section encompassing Potter’s Park to the former Mt Eden Borough Council in 1916 and this work was commissioned by the Eden Albert Community Board for the Dominion Centenary in September 2007.

The Sound of Rain

This artwork is made up of bright red, orange, yellow and pink seating oddly placed along the footpath – a surreal version of the classic cast iron garden tables and chairs. The familiar table tops and seat tops are mixed together to create an unexpected place where passersby can stop and rest.

These whimsical, colourful sculptures add a sense of backyard relaxation and restfulness to Auckland's busy Dominion Road.

*Common Exotic* was part of the Dominion Road temporary artworks supported by Albert-Eden Local Board in 2015. It was first launched in March 2015 along with Seung Yul Oh's sculpture *OnDo*, also on Dominion Road (now removed). The artworks were intended to add colour and vitality to Dominion Road during a period of roadworks and were delivered by Auckland Council together with Auckland Transport.

Common Exotic

Colourful elements of art and design help to transform Sandringham Reserve into a fun and friendly community space for families to relax, share food and play in. Artist Katy Wallace took her inspiration from the community's vision for the reserve as a neighbourhood picnic space and her design invites families to eat together and play, and even includes a village green space for staging community events.

The woodland-themed play area uses both recycled and unprocessed materials, giving children a chance to escape into the wilderness. The large paved area spreads out like a picnic rug, defining a dining area with three picnic tables that feature brightly patterned 'tablecloths'. *Neighbourhood Picnic* brings together colour, pattern, texture and activity, all with a feeling of the carefree joy of picnicking.

The park is also home to a pebble mosaic, produced by the students of Edendale Primary School. The mosaic is like a welcome mat from the community for visitors coming into the reserve from the footpath.

Ronnie van Hout

Boy Walking

"A larger-than-life, brightly coloured boy walks with purpose, adding colour and energy to Potters Park."

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Related links

Boy Walking NZ Herald story

New kid in town video

Boy Walking installation video

Boy Walking OurAuckland story

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