Stick your neck out for Kiwi kids and take a walk in Parnell

Stick your neck out for Kiwi kids and take a walk in Parnell

We all know that roosters like to be the centre of attention and 38 of them are preened and showing off in Parnell. In the spirit of a healthy city, all you need to do is grab a map and be part of this walking show - or chicken run if you like.

Several galleries have taken part with Rooster artpieces strutting their stuff and challenging one another to see who will be the top of the pecking order.

Beware of the flirtatious charms of the coop at Jonathan Grant. There are apparently rules for keeping more than one rooster in a coop because of their highly competitive nature. With artists such as Elizabeth Rees, Nicky Foreman, Zena Elliott and Anah Dunsheath, these are serious contenders for the charity auction.

Black Door is a diversity showcase to behold with the gleaming Spartacus reminiscent of the ancient connections between China and Greece via the Silk Road, right next to Erin Simpsons Tame HeiHei with his flashy feathery comb and Maori tattoos, while Parnell Gallery artists Christian Nicolson and Dalene Meiring contrast the discipline of the immaculately painted Town Crier, a rooster that announces the break of dawn, with a more relaxed expression of Bee with his specially knitted coat - asking us all to be what we want to be.

But sometimes celebrity status wins the day and along the route you’ll find rooster creations by opera singer Leila Alexander, retired All Black Tony Woodcock MNZM, Amanda Betts, Jane Daniels, Crystelle Baran, Dan Tippett & Jake Walls.

Were sure you’ll agree once you've walked the street, there are no backyard chickens in this run, the only problem is which one to choose.

You can always spend some time online deliberating - then make a silent bid.

Exhibition dates - 28th Jan - 12th Feb, Parnell galleries and select retailers

Cultural Performances - 4th Feb, 11am-2pm, Heard Park

Auction in aid of Starship - 16th Feb, 5.30om for 6.30pm. Mossgreen-Webbs

For more information and a map to the exhibition go to www.parnell.net.nz

ENDS

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