Sculptor Paul Dibble’s work Impossible Dialogue has been moved to Massey University’s Manawatū campus.
The 3.2 metre galvanized plate steel sculpture formerly resided at the University’s Hokowhitu site, but following the sale of the site in 2016, work began to transfer it to down the road. Mr Dibble and his wife were on site to oversee installation, making a few last minute alterations.
The sculpture was installed in 1988, and is one of the few of the steel works produced by Mr Dibble still on show. By 1990 he had moved onto using bronze as the predominant material of his practice.
It was bought by Massey University, where he was working as a lecturer in art. It was the last of his works known as foldings. Using steel as a medium, bent by using giant industrial presses and bolted together in a method similar in principle to origami, yet producing works that were sturdy enough to withstand outdoor conditions, was a pivotal point for Mr Dibble. Subsequently he was able to make large works that could become landmarks and be a part of cities instead of contained within gallery walls.
The sculpture features a large bold figure balanced on its tripod of three legs. It is adorned with one of Mr Dibble’s signature parrots, the figure’s conversation partner, which swings on a small rod that reaches out from the body.
