New murals at Thames Civic Centre receive blessing

Glen Silvester speaks on behalf of artist husband Paul, at the Thames Civic Centre mural blessing this week

Artists David Salisbury and Amy Cooper

A bicultural endeavour that weaves together A History of Thames - and another that tells the story of the Coromandel Peninsula in terracotta - received a blessing this week at a special ceremony where the two art works will be on permanent display.

The Thames Civic Centre will house these two new murals - one by the late Barry Brickell OBE and another by a collective of artists led by Paul Silvester. Both works were blessed by the Reverend Canon Dawn Wihongi and Reverend Roy Wihongi.

Ngati Maru kaumatua were present at the ceremony, as were members of Council and the Thames Community Board, TCDC staff, some of the artists who had worked on the second mural, and their guests.

The first mural to be given a blessing was that by Barry Brickell, who died on 23 January this year. He was a celebrated New Zealand potter, writer, conservationist and founder of Driving Creek Railway in Coromandel Town.

Barry's terracotta clay mural sits at the entrance to the Civic Centre and tells a story of the land. The legend provides a fascinating insight into the environmental impacts upon it.

"It's my privilege and pleasure in blessing the artwork by Barry Brickell, and I acknowledge the passing of Barry as I do so," said Reverend Dawn Wihongi. "We won't forget you, how can we? Your art work stands in the door way. I invite you all to read the wonderful reading that accompanies this taonga. I’m bowled over by some of the history here…" she said.

The blessing concluded with the words: "The Lord bless this art work, the Lord keep it safe, shine his light on it and reflect it to all people."

Inside the centre's conference room on the western wall, the second large mural was then blessed. The piece is the work of artists Paul Silvester, Kate Ellin, David Salisbury, Colleen Renata, Barby Barclay, Malcolm Sowman and Amy Cooper.

This mural depicts A History of Thames and the people who inhabited it. Nine woven panels highlight key periods and events in the area over the last thousand years. Interwoven on the panels are handcrafted items in miniature form using metal, fabric, terracotta and woodwork.

The development of the mural was orchestrated by artist and weaver Paul Silvester, who unfortunately due to ill health could not be present at the blessing and was represented by his wife Glen.

She explained how Paul was inspired to develop the work after his friend Maggie Gill called with a 'vision' of a mural for Thames. Maggie had seen a similar work in her travels and knew just who to call. On Paul's behalf, Glen thanked the many artists who contributed to it.

"One of the joys of it has been the bi-cultural feel; it begins with the Tainui canoe, and it's for us Pakeha to acknowledge the indigenous people that were here before us."

The arrival of the Tainui waka is included, as is the arrival of the HMS Endeavour, the building of the Tararu railway, the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and the felling of Kauri forests.

After the blessing, contributing artists Amy Cooper and David Salisbury shared their joy at being involved. David crafted some of the metal work on the mural, returning to art after 50 years' as a metal work teacher. He said his father never wanted him to be an artist, but his ancestors are sheet metal workers going back four generations.

Meanwhile Amy Cooper, of Ngati Maru, wove a tiny korowai (Maori cloak) on one of the figurines of the mural, using a skill passed down from generations of women before her. Amy makes korowai using feathers of seagulls and other birds who "live on through the korowai".

The art is on permanent display at the Thames Civic Centre and an interpretive legend is being created for the mural by Paul Silvester and artists.

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