Artist chosen to develop public art at Maclean Park

The Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Public Art Panel has selected artist Kereama Taepa to develop and install public art at Maclean Park. 

Following on from extensive community consultation, run by the Paraparaumu-Raumati Community Board in 2016, the Panel invited four shortlisted artists to submit conceptual designs in 2017.

Deputy Mayor and Public Art Panel member Janet Holborow says the Panel was extremely impressed with the quality of Kereama’s concepts.

“Kereama’s concepts were chosen for their flexibility, ability to easily make them larger or smaller, and the high standard of artistic merit they demonstrate. He’s incorporated a series of well-executed motifs and he’s shown us the range of possibilities for developing the concepts and integrating them into different areas of the park.”

Libraries and Arts Manager Kat Cuttriss says Kereama’s response clearly aligns with the principles of the Maclean Park Management Plan, which was recently approved by Council. “This means there’s scope to fully integrate Kereama’s art with future development plans, and showcase the Management Plan’s themes and values in a connected way throughout the park.”

Kereama will work with the Panel and representatives from local iwi over the coming months to develop his initial concepts into a detailed design.

“These meetings are getting underway soon and we’re really excited to see what public art or series of artworks come out of this process,” says Ms Cuttriss.