Our Story

Historically, Roskill Sheetmetal Works Ltd worked with sculptor Marte Szirmay building sculptures in New Zealand since 1960s. Art making for Marté Szirmay is about creating a language of signs and symbols that transcend regional, cultural and social limitations. The works are often conceptualised in terms of focusing devices for ‘healing’, meditation and contemplation. Marté works in a sequential manner ‘thinking through’, questioning and pushing the variable outcomes of ideas. The interaction of the audience with the works has always been a major concern for her. Whether the works are intimate or monumental, their size is always on a ‘human scale’.

Throughout her career Marté has investigated a variety of materials and processes continually seeking the most appropriate manifestation of her ideas.

Marte Szirmay’s ‘Smirnoff sculpture’ (1969) made by Roskill Sheetmetal Works Ltd was the first large abstract work to be commissioned in Auckland. Made from aluminium, a material usually associated with industry and commerce rather than the fine arts, its eight interlocking pieces suggest movement and life, despite the absence of organic forms. It won a sculpture competition to commemorate the centenary of the suburb of Newmarket, and is situated there in a small public square.

We also built some other sculptures designed by Marte from the 70s to 90s:

1976 Auckland Medical School, University Of Auckland, Stainless Steel, sheet metal.
1987, Hurstmere Plaza, Takapuna,Northshore City, Auckland. Stainless Steel, sheet metal.
1974,St Cuthbert’s College, Auckland. Aluminium sheet metal, Polychrome.
1983, NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NZ Embassy, Singapore, Cast Polyester resin marble.
1986, Private Commission, Auckland, Aluminium sheet metal.
1986, Auckland Art Gallery Survey Show1, Meandering Spiral, Located at Auckland Girls’ Grammar School.
1990, Private commissioning, stainless sheet metal, Auckland.

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