Chalice

The Chalice is a piece of public art located in Cathedral Square. 

Installed in 2001, the Chalice was created to mark two important milestones: the new millennium, and the 150th anniversary of the founding of Christchurch and Canterbury by the Canterbury Association.

The work was designed by acclaimed New Zealand artist Neil Dawson, whose sculptures are known for their lightness and sense of movement. Standing 18 metres (59 feet) tall, the Chalice is constructed from perforated stainless steel, allowing light, sky, and weather to pass through it rather than be blocked by it.

Its form subtly echoes the Gothic spire of the nearby cathedral, but instead of stone and solidity, the surface is patterned with native leaves. As the eye travels upward, the leaf shapes gradually grow larger, creating a sense of growth, unfolding, and upward movement.

By day, the Chalice shifts with the light, sometimes appearing almost transparent against the sky. At night, it takes on a different personality altogether. A floodlight inside the base illuminates the interior, while a spotlight highlights the exterior, causing the intricate patterns to glow and cast delicate shadows. The effect is understated but beautiful.