Art show revisits Whangārei’s role in Rainbow Warrior bombing 40 years ago

Artist Carole Prentice says her work marks the French bombing of the Rainbow Warrior as well as her own story, such as this piece Agent Provocateur, which is a nod to her French ancestor who escaped a massacre in Madagascar. Photo / Denise Piper

An art exhibition commemorates 40 years since Whangārei became the staging ground for an act of international terror: the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior.

The flagship in Greenpeace’s anti-nuclear flotilla was sunk in Auckland by two bombs planted by French secret agents on July 10, 1985.

Photographer Fernando Pereira drowned in the sinking.

Two French agents, Alain Mafart and Dominique Prieur, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and were sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, although they served less than three years.

The attack was later found to have been approved by French President Francois Mitterrand, with France apologising and paying $13 million compensation.

The Rainbow Warrior bombing helped galvanise New Zealand’s nuclear-free movement.

It was later revealed the French secret agents spent the months preceding the bombing in Whangārei, planning and provisioning for the attack.

Whangārei artist Carole Prentice said she has spoken to a number of people who recall interacting with the French agents.

Her exhibition, Glencourt Place, at Whangārei’s Hangar Gallery, illustrates her connection with the bombing story, from sailing in Auckland, to the discovery of a French ancestor who sailed from France to Madagascar, Reunion Island and then Wellington.

The five paintings featured are a nod to 16th century French artist Jean-Baptiste Pillement and repeat imagery from the Hatea River, where the French agents moored.

Carole Prentice’s pieces, such as The Paris Opera 1793, includes imagery from the Hatea River. Photo / Denise Piper

The exhibition also includes sketches of places the French agents visited, such as chandlery Stanley Marine, Town Basin eatery Reva’s Restaurant and Motel Six.

Prentice said the story is important in the history of Whangārei, which has grown from the sleepy town it was then to a vibrant city.

“It’s definitely important to Whangārei. How many generations have no idea that these people went to the airport, Reva’s and Stanley Marine ... It’s still really important to talk about.”

Northland was further connected to the Rainbow Warrior when the ship was scuttled at Matauri Bay in 1987.

Prentice said she has been working on the pieces in the exhibition on and off over 15 years, in between her other work and exhibitions around the country.

Glencourt Place is exhibited at Hangar Gallery in the Regent from July 11 to August 11, with a preview on Thursday from 5.30pm to mark 40 years since the bombing.

Prentice will also hold an artist talk on Saturday, July 26 from 10am.

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.