CHICKEN / MAN BY RON MUECK CHRISTCHURCH ART GALLERY, NEW ZEALAND

A special commission safely delivered to New Zealand

Ron Mueck, one of the worlds most renowned sculptors, was commissioned to create a piece of art specifically for the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū. The artwork—entitled “chicken / man”—is the final in a series of five major works that were acquired to mark the number of years the Gallery was closed for repair after the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.

The extremely detailed artwork, which took many months of work to complete, is at roughly half-scale and presents Ron Mueck’s distinctive hyperreal style.

Momart was asked to provide art shipping services from the artist’s studio in the UK to the Gallery in New Zealand. However, owing to the complex nature of the artwork and the materials used in its production, additional art logistics services were soon required.

The feathers intended to cover the minuscule chicken sculpture were of particular concern due to the stringent wildlife import regimes in New Zealand. They needed specialist gamma irradiation treatment and a species identification certificate before the sculpture was made. Through our broad network of contacts, Momart was able to source and provide both of the required procedures, which allowed the artist to complete the work, knowing all the necessary phytosanitary documentation was available.

Our in-house case making and art packing department, in consultation with the artist’s studio, prefabricated a set of specialist art shipping crates—one for the man and one for the chicken sculpture— which got accurately adjusted once the artwork was photographed and ready for packing. After crating, both elements of the sculpture were transported to London Heathrow airport and, under the supervision of Momart airport operations team, loaded onto the aircraft for their final trip to the Gallery in New Zealand

Momart provided art logistics advice to the client and to the artist from the beginning of the artwork production process, which contributed to the smooth passage of the artwork through the strict customs and border controls and safe and timely delivery to its final destination.

Find out more about Ron Mueck’s commission for Christchurch Art Gallery or read more about Momart services.