Top artists paint birds for Pukaha

COLOUR: Pukaha Mount Bruce manager Helen Tickner with Mark Dimock's painting Kaka Blue, acrylic and aluminium on board. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

PUKAHA Mount Bruce manager Helen Tickner is hoping a painting exhibition at Pukaha Mt Bruce will lead to the surrounding forest being filled with birdsong in the future.

Wairarapa artist, bird enthusiast and exhibition curator Viv Walker had the idea of getting artists to paint birds for an exhibition at the centre, with some of the proceeds from sales going to the forest restoration fund.

The fund is to be used to maintain the Mt Bruce area, pay DOC workers and keep the birds' habitat intact.

Mrs Tickner said they need to raise around $160,000 above the funding created by the visitor centre to go towards this maintenance.

The exhibition features works from renowned artists such as Sandra Wong, Mark Dimock, Jane Sinclair and Max Bayliss.

"Initially Viv thought that she might have around 10 artists who would be keen to be involved, but once word got out among the art community, she was inundated with offers and had to cap the numbers at 18," said Mrs Tickner.

Walker has a close affinity with Mt Bruce having illustrated two books about the centre, The Eels of Anzac Bridge and Elwyn's Dream, written by Ali Foster.

"We have a wonderful community who understands the importance and beauty of New Zealand native birds.

"We might not be hands-on conservationists, but this is one way we can help contribute to bringing the birdsong back to the bush at Pukaha Mt Bruce," she said.

Entry to the exhibition is free and runs to June 22.