The rivers and streams of Auckland’s Upper Harbour are the inspiration behind the latest addition to Hobsonville Point’s growing collection of public artworks.

‘Estuarine’ by renowned Auckland artist Louise Purvis has been installed on the seaward end of the new Launch Road. The stunning work, which is made up of about 250 individual gabion baskets filled with red scoria, winds its way over a large retaining wall running alongside the road, transforming the infrastructure with an intriguing and impressive piece of art.

The curvy form of the work references the waterways surrounding Hobsonville Point and early explorations by local couple, Doug and Audrey Mill of Mill House, who photographed the area by air from a Gypsy Moth. The red scoria is a nod to Auckland’s volcanoes.

Louise says ‘Estuarine’ is her largest work yet. She welded all 250 baskets herself over a period of four months and then supervised the two-week installation in January.

“Now that it’s up I’m really pleased with it,” says Louise, one of New Zealand’s top artists. “It’s very dynamic and it’s got a lot of movement in it. I think it’s a fantastic work.”

‘Estuarine’ was commissioned by the Hobsonville Land Company following a selection process endorsed by Auckland Council and landscape architects. It is one of many public pieces to be discovered and enjoyed at Hobsonville Point, with more planned as the coastal walkway is developed.

“I like the whole area and all the landscaping,” says Louise. “They’re doing a beautiful job of making a nice environment for the lucky people who live there.”