A sculpture that celebrated the devastation of January 2023 storms in the Muriwai community was installed at the intersection between Motutara Road and Waitea Road.
Photo: Supplied / ABE BLO
A sculpture made of cyclone pieces and large flood houses in Muriwai, on the west coast of Auckland, was revealed.
Seven unique columns designed by sculptor Jeff Thomson, whose work included the Taihape boot and the Auckland Zoo elephant could be seen in the city center of Muriwai from Sunday.
Longtime Muriwai resident and organizer Abe Dew said hundreds of local volunteers and several local artists have helped in the project in the last two years; creating mosaics and dragging into materials.
“It is a quilt of materials that have been recovered from houses that have been demolished.”
“Galvanized iron, tap accessories, sinks, tiles, corrugated cardboard roof pieces and letters of letters were formed in colorful mosaic blocks.
“Jeff Thomson has been incredibly generous and it is wonderful that an artist of his stature has created something so significant for our small village.”
In Muriwai, 68 properties, including DEW’s, were considered unfeasible after the Gabrielle cyclone and flooding in 2023. Two volunteer firefighters – Craig Stevens and Dave Van Zwanenberg – were also killed by one slide.
Dew said that the work of art is a permanent recognition of the devastation caused by storms.
He said it was emotional that people recognize parts of their old houses in the sculpture.
“We hear stories of people who approach when they see it, because it means a lot for this community.
“He talks about climate change and what happens to people when big events like this happen.”
Photo: Supplied / ABE BLO
The sculpture also included messages from people who lost their homes and had to move away from the community.
Muriwai resident Joss of the Muriwai artists collective said the process of working in sculpture was rehabilitating to many in the community.
Hong directed free mosaic manufacturing workshops at Muriwai Surf Club, where residents affected by the storm were sheltered in 2023.
“Being together at Surf Club was a cathartic experience.
“Conversations in these workshops were sometimes really emotional and helped people during the grief process.
“That’s it [the sculpture] It really is a reflection of Muriwai’s spirit and resilience. “
Hong hoped that the sculpture would also be a celebration of the happy memories of the community that was once.
SUBSCRIBE IN NGā Pytopito Kōrero, A daily bulletin curated by our editors and delivers directly to your inbox every day of the week.
