New mural captures attention at Heath Johnston Park

Tairāwhiti artist Anapera Graham with the artwork she painted on the changing sheds at Heath Johnston Park. Picture by Paul Rickard

An abundance of kai, an acknowledgment of the wetland on which it is built, and the visual tension between the structures all come together to form a new mural for our region.

The smart new artwork on the changing sheds at Heath Johnston Park has been created by Tairāwhiti artist Anapera Graham and features a strong geometric design and bold colour palette.

Located in Kaiti and facing directly toward the area it celebrates, the artwork wraps around the building so that children playing nearby can enjoy it — as well as those travelling into town along Wainui Road.

The kaupapa was developed through discussions throughout the project between the artist and Ngati Oneone chair Charlotte Gibson, who has given feedback throughout.

The mural was co-funded by Creative Communities Scheme and Gisborne District Council.

It is the second mural for Anapera, who also designed and painted the rangatahi-supported mural at the Nelson Road changing sheds.

The taniko imagery narrates the nature of the whenua at the park and surrounds; being wetlands in origin and within sight  of the restorative riparian planting alongside the stream.

It has a visual tension between structural, linear tāniko design and the organic forms of the wetlands.

This visual tension describes the tension on the whenua as the wetlands were destroyed and structures and whare were built instead.

Because of this tension on the natural whenua caused by altering the environment, flooding is often seen in these areas and around Sponge Bay.

Originally, the area was likely cloaked in a range of plants including raupō, wīwī, manukā and harakeke.

The pātiki design is included to represent the abundance of kai including birds that is in wetland environments and was originally found in this area.