Matariki collaboration brings new street art to Dunedin
The Dunedin Street Art Trust a proud to announce a new mural by artists SwiftMantis and Ephraim Russell at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The mural, which will grace the Anzac Ave wall of the Forsyth Barr Stadium, has been supported by Dunedin Venues Management Ltd, the Puaka Matariki Festival, Air New Zealand and the Otago Community Trust. The work, called “Matariki Messenger” will feature the native Ruru (Morepork) as a messenger carrying guidance and wisdom.
From the artists:
“The ta-moko patterns feature references to Te Whangai i te Hautapu, the sacred Matariki ceremony where offerings are made to the stars. By weaving these elements into the design, the artwork pays homage to the ritual of nourishing the celestial bodies and carrying wishes and aspirations into the new year.
The Ruru, a nocturnal bird, is deeply connected with Te Ao Wairua (the spiritual realm). Regarded as a sentinel of the night, the Ruru is seen as a messenger who carries guidance and wisdom. Its presence is more than symbolic; it is often viewed as a tangible link to ancestors, embodying the enduring relationship between the living and those who have gone before”.
The artwork will be painted during the week of the 6 July as part of Matariki celebrations.
Both SwiftMantis and Ephraim Russell will discuss their previous collaborations and the process for developing this new work at an artist talk on Thursday 9 July at 6.30pm at Dunedin Central Public Library Dunningham Suite.