Masons’ Cairn
South Quad, Worcester Boulevard
Title of artwork: Masons’ Cairn
Artist: Tom Stevens and Ned Allaway
Date: 2019
Category of work: sculpture
Media: Oamaru stone
Where you can see it: South Quad
Over time, a total of 40 stonemasons have worked on restoration and post-quake reconstruction of the various Gothic Revival buildings that comprise most of Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre. Many, including Tom, migrated from Europe; Ned is a New Zealander who joined as an apprentice and finished as a qualified professional.
Mason’s Cairn was created from reject stone – blocks that were unsuitable for use due to colour anomalies.
The artists say: “Giving a break from the day-to-day work creating stones of set size and shape for the buildings, Mason’s Cairn grew out of collaborative discussions, sketches, and mathematical moments. It was a chance to create something uniquely us.”
The sculpture is approximately 2.3 metres high and 1.2 metres wide at its widest point. It weighs an estimated 2000 kg.