Born in Christchurch, Pauline Rhodes lived in Wellington, Westport and also abroad in Nigeria and England before returning to Christchurch in 1970. She obtained her Diploma of Fine Art in Sculpture at the University of Canterbury in 1974.  Rhodes became one of New Zealand’s early environmental sculptors when in the mid 1970’s she began working outdoors and incorporating elements of nature into her work. Exhibiting in galleries throughout New Zealand, Rhodes also holds the distinction of being the first recipient of the Olivia Spencer Bower Award in 1987.

Her alterations of the landscape are often colourful, gentle and temporary, frequently opting to work in remote, isolated and seemingly uninhabited land, placing rods and other materials that she has brought with her to the site. Rhodes photographs her works before removing the display, and may at times be the only eyes to see the physical sculpture.

Pauline Rhodes exhibited at the last headland SCULPTURE ON THE GULF exhibition, erecting a colourful sculpture entitled ‘treebody’ from aluminium tubing and fabric high in a tree overhanging the coastal walkway. [pictured above] (more…)