The 2026–27 Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition
The 2026–27 exhibition runs from 14 November 2026 until 28 February 2027.
Our artists
Click on the artists to find out more about them and their works in this the tenth Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition.
Bill Devoy
Jane and Mario Downes
Gina Ferguson
Bev Goodwin and Jeff Thomson
The Growth Industry Group
The Indigenous Clay Artists Collective
David Maruariki
Jamie Pickernell
Fish Radich
Jessy Rauora Mete
Oliver Stretton-Pow
Jack Taylor
Greg Tuthill
Riki Waugh
James Wright
Our curators
This year’s exhibition curators are Terry Urbahn, Olivia Haddon and Linda Tyler. They say visitors can expect an exhibition on a scale not seen before.
“Meeting with the artists and talking about their proposed sculptures during the Working Day has left the three of us breathless in anticipation!” says Ms Tyler. “Each artist’s work is ambitious. They’re all wanting to make the tenth anniversary of the exhibition as special as we do. The artists come from all over New Zealand and were carefully selected for the unique and intriguing sculptures they will create for the enjoyment of visitors to the Auckland Botanic Gardens.”
“Many of the artists are well known and award-winning, while others are earlier in their careers. There’s a terrific mix of crowd favourites who have exhibited at previous events, and others offering fresh and exciting new perspectives,” she says.
More than 370,000 people saw the 2024 exhibition, an increase of 20,000 on the previous event.
Auckland Botanic Gardens manager Bec Stanley says she is looking forward to hosting the landmark biennial exhibition. “What excites us most about Sculpture in the Gardens is seeing how each artist responds to the landscape, our collections, and the work we do as a Botanic Garden. Their sculptures settle into the environment over summer and become part of the living, growing experience here.
“It’s always rewarding to see visitors discovering something new in a familiar place. The exhibition brings fresh perspectives into the garden, and that sense of curiosity is exactly what we hope to nurture.”
Sculpture in the Gardens is grateful for the support of Auckland Council, Friends of the Botanic Gardens and for the generosity of its sponsors and patrons. It is a free, non-ticketed event.
To get all the latest on the artists exhibiting and events during the exhibition please subscribe to our eNews and follow us on our social.