A painter of the pure heart

Whangarei artist Ank Mellema has been fascinated and inspired by Hundertwasser 'since his first art exhibition in Auckland in 1973. Her new artwork on a fence in Water Street (front of the old Placemakers site, opposite Palmers Garden Centre) clearly shows her sentiments towards the proposed Hundertwasser Wairau Maori Art Centre.

“His truly cosmopolitan vision; love of humanity and nature are constant themes in his work. He was called “a painter of the pure heart” say Ank.

“I derive great comfort from his extravagant, generous use of colour, shapes and lines. There is warmth, happiness and delight in seeing his work. It is full of joy and hope. The wonder, longing, mystery, mazes, curious windows and many trees in his work (much of it based on our New Zealand landscape) invite reflection and contemplation on our on-going relationships with ourselves, others and nature.

“With Hundertwasser, I share his concern for the world about us, as shaped by nature and as shaped by man.

“We owe it to the next generation to build a Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangarei, so they too can be excited and inspired to more beauty in our lives together.

Whangarei and Hundertwasser……Yes!”

Water Street is a fitting location for this colourful piece, as both “Hundertwasser” and “Wairau” mean “100/Many Waters” in German and Maori respectively.