The Sound of Steel is an exhibition of sculptured percussion instruments. It is an exploration of sound and making with materials and processes familiar to designer, musician and steel fabricator Gary Hunt.

The forms of the contraptions, resembling musicians ready to strike up the band, came about through an idea of an orchestra of percussion to accompany Gary’s own playing. The instruments are played manually, either by a crank device or electronically programmed microprocessors through Arduino coupled with Ableton software.

The componentry is a mix of found objects (skateboard components, sewing machine parts, seagull feathers) with crafted percussive shapes (bells, triangles, shakers, chimes, drum, discs) and mechanisms (pulleys, gears, cranks, solenoids, stepper motors).

This exhibition is presented in partnership with Helium Project featuring a suite of music composed by Nick Edgar and performed with Gary’s hand-crafted percussion instruments.

Gary Hunt is a seasoned artisan with over 35 years of experience. Working from his self-built studio and workshop in Auckland, he creates sculptures, designs and crafts furniture, and explores experimental music. His work has been compared to that of renowned sculptor and furniture designer Harry Bertoia, with early inspiration drawn from Jean Tinguely’s kinetic art. Hunt has showcased his work in exhibitions both nationally and internationally.