Jools and Lynda Topp with the Otis Frizzell piece. Photo / Supplied
Dames Lynda and Jools Topp have collaborated with graffiti artist Otis Frizzell on a new piece of street art that champions a message of peace and courage to honour Jools’ ongoing battle with breast cancer.
The Topp Twins’ song title, No War in My Heart, has been immortalised on the corner of Ponsonby and Richmond Road.
The mural sits directly outside Goblin Bar, once Open Late Cafe, where the twins say they used to hang out after their late-night gigs 40-years-ago.
The Herald spotted the 67-year-old twins, Frizzell and a small camera crew, filming the unveiling of the artwork, which they all signed, last week.
When approached for comment on what they were filming for, the duo’s manager and Diva Productions director, Arani Cuthbert, said the project was under wraps at this time.
But in a statement provided to the Herald, the twins said the timing of the mural felt particularly poignant, given the conflict and war in the world right now.
“We loved working with Otis on giving one of our favourite songs a new expression at this volatile time. While the world does not need another war, we also need to stand up for what is right and use words, not guns.”
The pair, who were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame in 2008, say the words are also ones of courage as Jools continues to live with Breast Cancer.
“Our message is also very personal about staying positive while living with cancer,” said Lynda."
Jools was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 at the age of 48. After undergoing chemotherapy and a mastectomy, she went into remission, but it was later revealed in March 2022 that her cancer had metastasised, leading her to undergo further treatment.
During this time, Lynda revealed on TVNZ’s Sunday that she had also been diagnosed with breast cancer and was undergoing treatment.
Speaking of the sisters’ courage and the opportunity to honour them, Frizzell said he didn’t hesitate for a second.
“I love the Topp Twins. They’re bloody national treasures. So what am I gonna say when they ask me if I want to graffiti up a beautiful, brick Ponsonby building with a piece that speaks to bravery and an anti-war message in these troubling times? ‘Where are my spray cans?’ That’s what.
“The twins carry real mana. They have always had courage and protest in their songs and hearts and I consider it an honour to be part of their story.”
The Herald honoured the Topp Twins in 2022 as their overall Herald Hero winners for Entertainment. The duo, who grew up in Huntly on a farm, credited their upbringing for shaping them into who they are today.
Lynda said throughout their career, they never felt worried their political views or sexuality would see them judged by Kiwis.
“New Zealand just sort of said, ‘Wow, those twins are great. They’re funny. They make us laugh and they’re political’.”
From Springbok tour protests to the nuclear-free rallies of the 80s and many homosexual law reform marches, “we were there pretty much for every protest that was on in New Zealand that was important”.
Lynda also shared a time the twins planned to get arrested for “standing our ground,” but that plan was quickly quashed by pals.
“I remember a friend yelled out ‘You two get back over there, please. You’re gonna have to sing at the Glue Pot to raise money for all the people who get put in jail tonight’.
“So a lot of people knew our politics. They knew that we were lesbians. They knew that we were proud of who we were.
“I think eventually if you just hang in there and you say, ‘this is who I am, and I’m proud to be who I am,’ in the end, New Zealanders will respect you for it.”
Jenni Mortimer is the NZ Herald’s chief lifestyle and entertainment reporter. Jenni started at the Herald in 2017 and has previously worked as lifestyle, entertainment and travel editor.