Artist urges Whangarei “Dare to dream, dare to be different”

If you’re driving past Anytime Fitness heading for Whangarei's Town Basin and a brightly coloured wall winks at you, its Whangarei’s latest addition to the Colour Our City initiative. The huge (8.4m long) mural is highly embellished with mirrors, ceramics, ply wood cutouts, pieces of copper and even gold leaf. “More is more” was the creed in its making.

Artist is Simone Anderson drove up from Tauranga to spend last week creating this spectacular work of art.  Simone worked with Karetu School near Kawakawa to create their much loved and photographed mural situated opposite the Hundertwasser toilets.

In her new mural, Simone was assisted by a team of committed local artists who all agreed it was a most ‘enjoyable and empowering’ week’s work.

The mural is titled “Whangarei Dare to Dream, Dare to be Different”.  These impassioned  words come from a letter sent to our Councillors by Pompallier School students after a trip to Vienna to see Hundertwasser’s work there.  For all those who worked on the mural these words really sum up the message in the image.

Check out what Simone has done with Whangarei’s new hook bridge and the Town Basin has a whole new roof line!

Simone tells how she came to get involved.  “I’d been avidly  following the progress of The  Hundertwasser project in Whangarei for some time,  so when I got the call from Jenny Hill of PNT I knew the cause was so great, how could I say NO?  My Mum said “Simone you have to do this. I will take the kids.” (Simone has three children; an 11 year old girl and 10 year old twins).

Simone sees the building of HWMAC as being of benefit to all of New Zealand.  “I’ve seen the pilgrimage to Kawakawa of visitors who are already informed. The reputuation of those toilets extends way beyond NZ.”  She sees this as an opportunity on a plate for Whangarei with this proven drawcard.

“Hundertwasser’s  gift to New Zealand extends to at least three generations who can all say his art has touched them.  That’s the equivalent of saying ‘I lived close to one of the masters of modern art’.  That’s incredible!”

“His philosophies were ones I grew up with.  I remember his conservation posters well.  Even then he was batting for a healthier New Zealand.  Remember, Hundertwasser chose our country.  Its embarrassing to me that the people he chose and believed in have repelled his gift.  His Art is timeless and will never date.  He was well before his time.”

Simone urges people to put their own tastes aside and think about planning for the next generation. “ It’s a question of asking yourself “What would the next generation see as fun and valuable? A provincial maritime museum?  Or the last major work from a Master of Modern Art?”

Here is a complete list of everyone who worked on the mural:

Simone Anderson, Jenny Hill, Heather Carthew, Carolyn Radford. Jackie Harding (lots of painting), Erica Clueard (mosaics) Wendy Cunliffe (potter, made ceramic eyes and leaves), Linda Lloyd, Jan McGiven, David Foley and a great building crew from Guyco including installers Andrew Garratt, Kevin Lloyd, John Park and Pete Nerney.

Colour Our City celebration

This Saturday 9th May Whangarei residents can take part in the Colour Our City celebration, which includes a parade past this mural (and others recently created for the city). Details regarding the event are here.

Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/nUF2J

Photo credits: Steve Sharp