Phil Price
Chrysalid, 2019
Carbon fibre, epoxy, metals, precision bearings
10,800 x 9,200mm
Imagine a world where the trees and plants have evolved into something that is partly natural, partly something else - robotic or artificial. Chrysalid takes its name from the science fiction novel, The Chrysalids, by British writer John Wyndham (1955). The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic world where eugenics is practised and humans, animals and plants with even minor mutations are banished.
The grand scale of this elegant sculpture on the trail standing 10.8 metres high on the hill and the tendrils that move in the wind stretch to 9.2 metres across, can also be glimpsed from across the Brick Bay farm and from the top of the vineyards. The arms stretched up resemble a far away palace or castle top from a fantasy movie or Seuss-like trees from the Lorax.
Phil Price's works reference the natural world, flowers and organic structures, while also embracing the skill of engineering and design to create sleek abstract sculpture. The kinetic element of the work is achieved through highly skilled engineering, using carbon fibre composite to create a seamless synergy between form and motion.
Price made two of these pieces, one with a silver finish that was gifted to La Trobe University in Melbourne in 2017, while our piece at Brick Bay, has a unique finish - delicate pinks, through to blue and violets, mauves moving into blues in homage to the hues of the hydrangea bloom. Chrysalid is sited in the landscape now, with the surrounding trees in a perfect spot to catch the wind that moves through the valley, propelling her delicate arms to move and dance.
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Artist Bio
Born in Nelson in 1965, Phil Price was educated in Christchurch and specialised in sculpture at the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts, graduating in 1990. He worked initially as an artist’s technical assistant and then in a variety of positions in the art world, in education and in composite engineering. Price's sculptures have a reputation for their unique and innovative use of contemporary materials and processes.
Since 2000 New Zealand born Phil Price has focused on wind activated kinetic sculpture. He is regarded as the foremost kinetic sculptor of his generation, with his work being widely acknowledged for its breath taking beauty, evocation of the natural world, and extraordinary design.
His use of carbon fibre composite construction is unparalleled in regards the synergy he is able to achieve between form and kinetic functionality. The sculptures evolve from the artist’s intimate drawings and concepts, through to computer generated digital renderings and animations, to fully realised sculptures.
Price’s insistence on keeping all of the creative and construction elements in house allows him to experiment and explore within his own sanctuary, and ensure absolute quality control. His natural fascination with and intuitive feel for materials, processes, and engineering delivers what can only be described as extraordinary moving objects.
Designed to withstand extremes of climate and temperature, the sculptures have been successfully installed everywhere from fierce coastal situations to busy urban environments and everywhere in between.
Phil Price has created major international public and private projects including Cytoplasm Auckland Viaduct basin; Tree of Life, McClelland Gallery Victoria; Nucleus, Hamilton Victoria; Snake, Aarhus Denmark. His work is held in numerous collections internationally, including Austria, Holland, Switzerland, the U.S.A, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.In 2008 a major exhibition of new works toured New Zealand and internationally. Price lives and works between Lyttleton, New Zealand and Melbourne, Australia.
