Sculpture background

Ferns is suspended above Civic Square, tying the space together. It is constructed from 11 aluminium sheets, painted silver on the outside and gold on the inside.

Dawson was inspired by Ian Athfield's iconic nikau palm trees: "Obviously when I started work on Ferns I saw these nikau as major markers of the Square. They certainly make a perfect setting for me. What I've aimed for is a sort of delicate intricacy that can float over the top of the palms so the two elements can work with each other" (Harper & Lister, 2007, p. 72).

The five types of native ferns depicted are heki, puniu, petako, lace fern, and ponga.

This work was jointly commissioned by the Wellington Sculpture Trust, the New Zealand Festival of the Arts, and the City Gallery.