Syncline by Russell Beck

Another Meridian Heartland Sculpture Challenge 2009 Winner, this time of the Judges Choice Award is Syncline by Russell Beck .  It was sponsored in the competition by the Timaru District Council and its shining, rolling form sits across the road on a triangle of grass opposite the Council chambers on King George Place. 
Syncline measures 1.2 x 1.2M and weighs a healthy 250kg.  It’s made of stainless steel and was based on an earlier work of his.   Russell’s designs are inspired by landforms, geology and astronomy with a minimalist approach and of Syncline he said “The sculpture reminds me of the hills and valleys you see when you drive into Timaru."
Russell entered the Heartland Sculpture competition after a friend sent him a brochure.  Timaru has certainly benefitted from being a part of Heartland, seems like it was a great idea, one which introduces good sculpture to a city and allows the public to be exposed to and hopefully enjoy seeing something different.
Russell Beck is a retired Southland Museum and Art Gallery Director living in Invercargill. For more than 45 years he has worked in many types of stone, particularly jade, publishing several books on New Zealand jade.  Since retirement he has concentrated on works in stainless and mild steel, fabricated with his son, Andrew, a precision engineer. He has work represented in public and private collections in New Zealand and overseas.  
Karen Rolleston