CARVED MESSAGE: Nickie Muir wrote the first poem to be publicly displayed in the new Poetry Walk. PHOTO/JOHN STONE
CARVED MESSAGE: Nickie Muir wrote the first poem to be publicly displayed in the new Poetry Walk. PHOTO/JOHN STONE
A new art form has been set in stone in the Art Park at Whangarei's Town Basin with the first chapter unveiled in the Poetry Walk.
An evocative work by Whangarei writer Nickie Muir was chosen as the first sculptural poem to be carved into a column of basalt inthe park which already hosts several sculptures.
The poem, called Pepeha, meaning an introduction of where one comes from and stands, was carved into the stone by sculptor Anna Korver. It was unveiled last Friday at a small ceremony where guests included Mayor Sheryl Mai and representatives of Chart (Culture Heritage Arts Resource Trust), the body that is overseeing the creation of the Poetry Walk and has helped gain funding from Creative Communities.
Ms Muir said that while she was thrilled to have her poem chosen, she saw the creation of the poetry stone itself as a collaboration by the arts community and "this place" - the Hatea river and the mountain Parihaka to which the pepeha is addressed. She also saw the poem as only one verse of what would become an extended public dialogue through poetry and art.
The poem's journey included having its Maori interpretation okayed by Ms Muir's te reo tutor, as the word pepeha had slightly different meanings in the South and North Islands, she said.
Chart chief executive Chris Carey described Pepeha, chosen from about 45 submissions, as "a lovely, intimate poem". Mr Carey said the work was chosen after a rigorous selection process by poets William (Bill) Dacker and Michelle Elvy. Submissions are being called for the next piece in the Poetry Walk, to be sculptured in a 3D style rather than written or carved.
Ms Muir said she was excited about the next poem. "I'm looking forward to seeing another chapter in the story of our place," she said.
Brother don't ask me which is my mountain I hold no title I hear Hariata Hold fast the land! And she holds us. Like all women No papatuanuku a hau. I rest at the feet of Parihaka listening to her breather Let the moss decide if I'm hers.
