Te Wharau school pupils aged 5 and 6, from classrooms 1 and 7, have exhibited Picasso-inspired self-portraits on Gisborne's main street, as part of the council-supported Art in the City initiative. Photo / Te Wharau School
Te Wharau school pupils aged 5 and 6, from classrooms 1 and 7, have exhibited Picasso-inspired self-portraits on Gisborne's main street, as part of the council-supported Art in the City initiative. Photo / Te Wharau School
Picasso-inspired self-portraits are brightening up a corner of Gisborne’s main street.
Since October, multiple shopfronts have been transformed with artwork from local artists and community collaborations as part of the council’s Art in the City initiative.
The latest installation arrived last week, with the empty shopfront at the corner ofLowe St and Gladstone Rd revamped with artwork by Te Wharau school pupils, aged 5 and 6, from rooms 1 and 7.
Specialist teacher Kirstin Sheehan collected responses from the pupils who exhibited.
Mateo said he hoped his “art and words might make a sad person happy”, while fellow pupil Israel said, “the kids made the sad building look happy”.
Student Liliana said it was “so beautiful to see everyone’s work big”, while Lauren said it “felt so good” seeing her artwork on display, and her little sister was “really jealous”.
Nyah said she thought people would “feel shocked seeing kids’ art in town”.
Artwork by Te Wharau school pupils in the exhibition on the Lowe St side of Gladstone Rd. Photo / Zita Campbell
Wallace described the pupils’ work as “arty”, “colourful” and “super vibrant”.
The self-portraits, inspired by influential 20th-century Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, include quotes about what the children dream of doing in the future.
Quotes feature the pupils’ diverse career ambitions such as artists, veterinarians, Kmart builders, fire truck drivers or serving in the Army.
“If you’re walking past you can read these quotes, and it’s just kind of these lovely, optimistic voices of the future,” Wallace said.
Manutūkē School pupils are working on their own project for a window display, visual artwork inspired by Rongowhakaata pūrākau (legends).
Feedback on the Art in the City initiative had been positive, Wallace said.
“People are really excited to see something happening on the streets.”
Commissioned artist Leah McCann's work on Gladstone Rd is titled "infinitude".
Empty shopfronts could be “a mess”, and it was “pleasing to everyone that walks by to see that that stuff’s just getting hidden ... Gizzy’s getting a bit of relief ... getting some nice things”.
Trust Tairāwhiti gave $25,000 towards the project for commissioning the artists and installation costs, she said.
It had been “a pleasure” working with commissioned artists and being able to offer them a commission and put their work on display “in a really decent way”.
Wallace said she had taken “a varied approach” so different sectors of the community were able to “have a voice in putting their creativity forward in the city”.
Lilly Paris West's graphic design work featured on Gladstone Rd.
There had been “neat collabs” between the hospice and the environment centre.
Local artist Steph Barnett brought in other collaborations with her tiny gallery, located outside the Peel St entrance of the H.B. Williams Memorial Library. This included a collaboration with the SPCA, Wallace said.
Four artists have been commissioned for the Art in the City Initiative – Leah McCann, Michelle Hinekura Kerr and Lilly Paris West have work on display at the Lowe St end of Gladstone Rd.
Kelly Spencer’s commissioned work will go up in a couple of months.
Speaking with Local Democracy Reporting, Hinekura Kerr said it was a huge privilege to be chosen and supported as a local artist.
“It’s a working together project between the council, artists and the community.”
Michelle Hinekura Kerr's artwork at 63 Gladstone Rd is titled Hapori. Photo / Zita Campbell
What’s next?
De-Arne Sutherland, city centre revitalisation programme manager, said work on an action and investment plan for the city centre’s revitalisation was still at an early stage.
“To date, we’ve supported a range of initiatives aimed at bringing vibrancy back into the city centre while longer-term plans are developed.”
Feedback from the community had been largely positive, particularly for initiatives like the Downtown Lounge and Art in the City.
“Retailers and local businesses have also responded well to the introduction of our CBD custodian, a dedicated role focused on maintaining the look and feel of the city centre, supporting businesses, and helping create a more welcoming environment for visitors.”
The council’s website states that a refined concept and updated costings are expected by June 30, with the final Action and Investment Plan due in September.
Sutherland said engagement was ongoing.
“We’ve held workshops with key stakeholders and community groups, and the wider community will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft Action and Investment Plan before it goes to council for adoption.”
Further opportunities to be involved would be shared in the coming months as the plan developed, Sutherland said.
“As outlined in the [Three Year Plan], council has committed $3 million to the City Centre Revitalisation programme of work.”
So far, the council had spent about $15,000 on Art in the City, $13,000 on Downtown Lounge, $7000 on Catalyst Initiatives, and $200,000 on the Action and Investment Plan, Sutherland said.
“A consortium of specialists”, led by Athfield Architects, was appointed to develop the Action and Investment Plan.
