Water Whirler

Len Lye (1901 – 1980) was one of New Zealand’s first and most acclaimed modernist artists.

After his father died when he was two, he went to live in a lighthouse at the very top of the South Island’s east coast, sparking his interest in wave patterns and natural forms. Unfortunately, his family could not afford for him to go to school so he left at the age of 13. Before attending art school, he was mostly self-educated at public libraries.

The influences from Maōri, Aboriginal and Pacific tapa art after time spent in Australia and Samoa were reflected in his early steps as an artist while in London. He later made his home in New York, where he made a name for himself with kinetic sculptures.

Returning to visit NZ in 1968 and 1977, he was so pleased with the results from working with a New Plymouth team on sculptures he’d previously been unable to realise that he arranged to give his large collection of work “for the public benefit of the peoples of New Zealand”. In the Len Lye Centre, part of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery in New Plymouth many of his works are on permanent display. Now, the Taranaki Len Lye Foundation, created by the artist before he died, administers his estate and keeps his sculptures in working order. Taranaki also hosts some of his outdoor sculptures, such as the wonderful 45 metre Wind Wand, which has become an icon of the region.

Eventually, the Water Whirler was constructed posthumously in 2006 based on Lye’s designs, the first of his water-based sculptures to be realised. When operating, the 10.6 metre high wand spins and projects streams of water. Motors, springs, pivots and weights control its movement and water patterns.