Artists selected to depict local stories on Chorus cabinets

Our stories as interpreted by local artists will soon adorn five more Chorus telecoms boxes around the district, says Kāpiti Coast District Council arts advisor Rosie Salas.

The artists range from tamariki at Paraparaumu Kindy to one of our most respected senior artists, Bodhi Vincent, whose works are well known in the district, she said.

“We were looking for looking for vibrant designs that relate to the surrounding suburb and captured the life and stories of the Kāpiti Coast,” Ms Salas said.

The selected designs range in style and subject, from a depiction of milk delivery in the 1930s Raumati to symbolic representations of inclusivity and love, our ancestors’ journeys by foot, through to swimming dogs, and depictions of how our tamariki see and what they aspire to be.

Ms Salas said Council was delighted that Chorus continued to support this programme of community art.

“It’s a wonderful way to enhance our district’s streets and provide a canvas for our artists to showcase their work.

“We also know that the artworks are respected and are an effective way of reducing unwanted graffiti,” she said.

The community boards chose the artwork for their area. Each selection was made on the merits of the designs submitted for that area and how well it reflected the theme and the brief of reflecting the people and stories of that location, Ms Salas said.

Here are the selected artists and what they’ve said about their designs:

Christina Nicol (Ngai Tahu, Ngāti Mamoe), Footprint, for the cabinet at 25 Riverbank Road, Ōtaki: “The footsteps of our past which can't be seen, no trace of adventure or time is shown.... Invisible footsteps which walked through stoned tracks that now have become part of the river. The people who struggled to the unknown places by foot, leaving behind memories and stories which have become our heritage and pride.”

Paraparaumu Kindergarten, Our People for the cabinet at 151 Mazengarb Road, Paraparaumu: “Kindergarten tamariki sharing pictures of themselves and what they want to be when they grow up on the Kapiti Coast.”

Ruth Mitchener, Milk Delivery for 1 Glen Road, Raumati: “In the 1930s or so, there used to be milk deliveries by horse drawn cart in Raumati South. I wanted to bring back a bit of that past vibe of the area with this cabinet design.”

Bodhi Vincent, Share the Love for 2 Victor Road, Raumati: “A wahine embodying inclusivity and the feeling heart.”

Ruth Mitchener, Swimming Dogs for 76 Ngārara Road, Waikanae: “Being situated between Waikanae pool, which is famous for its dog swimming day at the end of each summer season, and Waikanae Park which is frequented by perhaps more dog walkers than football players daily, this seemed a prime spot for a bit of doggy art.”

Paekākāriki was not included as it only has one cabinet which is being painted as part of the Paekākāriki community board’s commission of three murals by Miriama Grace-Smith.

Chorus runs this national programme of cabinet art to support local artists and deter graffiti. They pay the artists for the materials and their time, and Council helps Chorus select a design for the cabinets.

Read about opportunities and advice for community artists in Kāpiti