Installation of two steel sculptures near the Domain Road interchange on the Tauranga Eastern Link is to begin this month.

Designed by Sculptor Regan Gentry, the two sculptures are inspired by the history and natural environment of the Bay of Plenty.

NZ Transport Agency senior project manager Wayne Troughton (left) with renowned New Zealand artist Regan Gentry, who will begin overseeing the installation this month. Photo: David Tauranga

Regan says he drew inspiration from the region's environment, rich cultural history and construction techniques when creating the sculptures.

A huge 130m long, nine-metre high palisade pa structure will sit on the south eastern side of the TEL near the Domain Road interchange, and an eight-metre high steel spinifex will be installed on the north eastern side of the road, near the Tara Road roundabout.

Regan will be overseeing the installation.

The public artworks will help create a gateway threshold and a sense of place, transforming the TEL from a long straight highway into a culturally significant space that reflects local stories, says Wayne.

'These sculptures will help make the TEL a road to remember for travellers,” he says.

'The pa sculpture points to the historic pa sites in the Papamoa Hills and the spinifex references the beach and the wind-blown coastal plant that is a feature of the Papamoa beachscape.

'The sculptures will join other artworks and urban design elements already in place along the TEL that identify key locations, such as the waharoa, which overlooks the new Paengaroa roundabout, or the panels on the Domain Road interchange that reflect the historic flax trade.

'There are many special places dotted along the TEL and we felt it was important to capture these and help the community tell local stories.”

Bound Around is funded by the NZ Transport Agency through the TEL project and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, with in kind support from Tauranga City Council in the form of poles that will be used to form the pa structure.

The cost of the project is approximately $200,000 including design, build and installation.

'There were a number of obvious connectors for me; from the numerous historic pa sites in the Papamoa Hills to the beautiful beach, the importance of the port and the products such as wood that will travel on the TEL there,” says Regan.

'To me, part of building the TEL was to improve road safety in the area and when you look back at the idea of the pa, that was also to keep the community safe.

'I wanted to unite the natural and manmade environment and help personalise the location so people really connect with it as they are travelling through.”

The Transport Agency worked closely with the local art community to find the right artwork for the TEL.

'In the end, Regan's designs were our final choice as they are the perfect fit,” says NZTA senior project manager Wayne Troughton.

'Regan has strong family ties to this area and understood the important historical and environmental aspects we wanted to highlight.”

The sculptures, made from street light poles, roadside safety guard rails and wood repurposed from the Coronation Pier, will be among the largest public artworks currently on display in New Zealand.

Regan will be speaking about his work on the TEL sculptures at the Public Art Talks/Tauranga event at Baycourt X Space on February 21.

This is a full day of talks about public art, with Regan's presentation from 9.30am until 11am. Entry is by donation. Visit: www.publicarttalkstauranga.co.nz for more details.

For more information on Regan Gentry, go to: www.regangentry.com