It’s already pretty awesome that the Paddock is full of incredible Art from our creative Community – how great would it be to see some of that Paddock Art displayed semi-permanently or permanently around the Rangitikei region?! Well, that’s what we’re hoping to do! If you’re applying for an Art Grant for KB26, please keep in mind that there is potential for your Art to be on display in public after Kiwiburn (think: materials and design being safe for public and lasting months, not days). Where and for how long would be determined by the Artist and local Hunterville/Marton Community Committees.
Did you know… we already have one of the Paddock Art pieces from KB25: Trash Renaissance on display at the Hunterville Village Book Store? Well now you do! The piece is Paddock Pup – the Hunterville Huntaway by Trace (our awesome Burnable Arts Liaison).
Image credit: Jasmine Wilkinson
Trace says:
Kia ora Burner Whanau. My name is Trace and my Art is permanently in place in Hunterville.
I attended my first Burn in 2024 and felt inspired to create Art for the 2025 Burn. For a while, ideas tumbled about in my mind including:
- The paddock is located close to Hunterville
- Huntaway dogs are important and celebrated in Hunterville with the annual Shemozzle
- How could art bring a little bit of the Hunterville village to the Paddock and vice versa
- No real dogs are allowed on the paddock
- Trash renaissance theme for 2025
- I wanted to create an interactive art piece but not one I had to look after
- Like all Burners the appeal of flames and fire was strong!
And so the Paddock Pup idea started to firm up!
I’d never created a large sculpture before but the very cleverly worded ‘Give us your Art, even if you think it’s a shit idea’ Arts ad was encouraging enough for me to put forward a very ropey first concept. To my surprise, I was lucky enough to be awarded an Art Grant to help cover the costs and, more importantly, support for the construction.
The Paddock Pup was created out of scrap metal. Parts came from friends, neighbours, and strangers who loved the idea and wanted to donate. An absolute find was a bucket of oversized nuts, bolts, and washers from a decommissioned South Island power station.
After learning to weld, then beating, moulding, and sculpting all sorts of metals, and with a little help from family and friends and lots of encouragement from Andy (Chair), Cherie (Arts Facilitator at the time) and the Arts whanau, the Paddock Pup was brought to life.
If you visited the Depot you may have seen him there to greet all those that came by. While he was designed with an open jaw from which flames could be ejected from a flame thrower mounted internally in the tummy area, the fire element was optional and not used at the Burn.
I was thrilled when Andy and Cherie asked if I would consider placing the Paddock Pup in Hunterville as ‘permanent Art in place’ after the Burn. Being a public Art piece meant I had to be more careful about ensuring sharp edges were smoothed, and more thought went into the construction to ensure it was strong enough to withstand public interest.
I have really appreciated Andy’s ongoing support post Burn for the Paddock Pup and helping to find him a home in the Hunterville community. Talking with Kelsey, the book shop owner, Paddock Pup attracts lots of questions, (great for Kiwiburn) and he’s even had some offers of new homes – which are politely declined!
Pup has also been to the Kimbolton Sculpture Festival where he achieved top 8 in the People’s Choice Award. The best part was overhearing comments and the joy and fun experienced by others.
Image credit: Trace
