"When in Rome" by Bryn Jones is a collection of rugby images inspired by statues of the Renaissance.
"It's loosely based on Roman sculptures as rugby players," Mr Jones said yesterday.
A trio of players contesting the ball, Kidnapping, references Giambologna's masterpiece The Rape of the Sabines and Michelangelo's David is reproduced as plain old rugby-playing Dave.
There is also a bust of legendary All Black Colin Meads, which is a relief.
The 11 works were constructed over the past five months from steel, plaster, Oamaru stone and polymer clay, Mr Jones said.
"You get a metal effect with the polymer clay. It makes them look like they're made of bronze."
The John McGlashan College head of art is used to getting up close and personal with New Zealand heroes.
He sculpted a 2.4m bronze statue of Sir Edmund Hillary at Mt Cook in 2003 to mark the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest in 1953 by Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.
"When in Rome" opens at 5.30pm today at Monumental Gallery and runs till October 29.
