OnDo was installed on Dominion Rd, Auckland, in 2015 for a limited time.

An Auckland sculpture that divided public opinion in 2015 is ready to make a reappearance following repairs.

'OnDo' is a larger-than-life sculpture created by Korean-born New Zealand artist Seung Yul Oh, which was on show on Dominion Rd, Mt Eden, for a few months in 2015.

Since then OnDo has been in storage but Albert-Eden Local Board chairman Peter Haynes said it would return to Ballantynes Square, on Dominion Rd, on September 1.

Haynes said the artwork had originally been created to be a portable, temporary sculpture that could be moved around.

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"In 2015 there were roadworks planned for Dominion Rd so we wanted a piece of art that would have distracted motorists held up by the roadworks. The roadworks were subsequently canned but by then the artwork was already under way."

Lawrence Smith Seung Yul Oh was commissioned by the Albert-Eden Local Board to create OnDo.

The artwork depicts noodles being pulled from the roadworks rubble - a point Haynes believes was lost on some people.

"Sadly this point was lost on the minority who complained about OnDo."

Originally, the sculpture, which was commissioned by the Albert-Eden Local Board, was created as part of a regional project that cost around $40,000.

Haynes said that cost was a "tiny fraction" compared to how much it normally cost to install other works by the same artist.

Oh's art style will be familiar to many Aucklanders who will have seen his first public art commission, the colourful egg-like objects entitled 'Knocknock', on Newmarket's Teed Street.

Since graduating from Auckland University's Elam School of Fine Arts, he has enjoyed a successful career both locally and overseas, including a commission at Te Papa Tongarewa and receiving the Harriet Friedlander Residency in New York.

ELESHA EDMONDS/STUFF Peter Haynes said most of the community would be "very happy" to see the noodle sculpture back on Dominion Rd.

When the OnDo sculpture was first installed in 2015, feedback received through the 2015/2025 long-term plan consultation with the Albert-Eden area showed a split in support for investing in public art.

Of the 254 people who gave feedback, 51 per cent did not support the board investing in public art for town centres.

Wayne Hull, who runs Gorgeous New York Pizza Bar on Dominion Rd, said the sculpture was an "absolute eyesore".

The Transit Could sculpture by artists Gregor Kregar, Sara Hughs and Davor Popadich was criticised for looking too "phallic".

"When it was last here it was an absolute rubbish dump, it doesn't represent Dominion Rd at all."

Hull said customers often came in to ask him what the sculpture was, with many confusing it for wiring being installed on the road.

"I love art, but I think the space could be better used. If we want something to represent the road better they should add a playground to Ballantynes Square, or a dog park, something people can actually use."

Supplied A giant golden chicken wing sculpture stands at Massey University’s Albany campus.

Employees at nearby Greenstone TV had less extreme views about it.

"I don't mind the noodle," one employee said. "I liked it," another chimed in.

"I think adding street art to Dominion Road is a good thing, we're a creative business so I think it's nice to add a bit of creativity to the street."

Haynes said he had talked to local business association members and they were very keen to see OnDo reinstalled.

"Most of the business owners in the area know Dominion Rd needs to be a destination to survive."

Haynes said there was "no doubt in his mind" that people wanted OnDo back on the street.

"I used to see numerous amounts of tourists taking photographs with the sculpture and I think the majority of people will be very happy to see its return. There will be some people saying we should stick to roads, rats and rubbish and I'm very happy to respond to that sort of criticism."

It is not the first time public art in Auckland has faced criticism.

A council-funded sculpture in New Lynn caused a stir with residents and critics who said it looked phallic, while a giant golden chicken wing sculpture installed at Massey University that cost $90,000 also caused confusion on social media.