Meet Tai and Glint

This school holidays we're celebrating two extraordinary sculptures by Whanganui artist Merv Richdale.

Standing almost life-size, Tai, Guardian of Taupō has become one of the gallery's most talked-about works. Created over the course of a year, the sculpture is built from thousands of pieces of glass and ceramic gathered from around the shores of Lake Taupō, each one carefully placed by hand.

For one weekend only, Tai will be joined by Glint – the charming glass dog that started it all. As the first sculpture Merv made using this painstaking technique, Glint holds a special place for the artist and isn't available for purchase, making this a rare chance to see the pair together.

If you're looking for something a little different these school holidays, we'd love to welcome you to the gallery. And if the younger members of the family would like to pose alongside Tai and Glint for a photo, we'd be delighted to see their smiles.