Walsh mural defaced with white paint

Sad day for the bay” – as a historic mural in Tokomaru Bay gets painted over.

A landmark mural in Tokomaru Bay, painted 30 years ago by artist John Walsh, has been defaced.

Disbelief, anger and sadness have been expressed in the wake of the damage.

Walsh painted the mural, which depicts local identities, on the wall of the old butcher’s shop in the 1980s.

Numerous complaints have appeared on social media, with people asking “why has this been done?” and “who gave permission for this to happen?”

Jules Ryland said on Facebook she was responsible and the intention was to create a shadow art-work effect, of whānau silhouettes, by painting a strong white paint backdrop.

The Gisborne Herald attempted to contact Jules Ryland but no further response was forthcoming.

The mural holds significant ties for many people, the shock of the act felt by community members, and those who no longer live in the district.

“That mural was there for over 30 years,” said Edward Minx Te Reo. “It is sad that I can’t show my kids the wall.  I may no longer live in the bay but it was always something I loved to see on my return.  Now that’s been taken away.”

Comments in response to the  damage included ‘‘memories lost”, “a treasured picture”, and “devastation of seeing a beautiful mural of a whole whakapapa history gone”.

Lillian Te Hau-Ward of Tokomaru Bay contacted artists and painters hoping to find a way of removing the white paint.

Others suggested the original mural be restored,  perhaps with the addition of the next generation of “identities”.

It is hoped this iconic landmark can be retrieved  for future generations to appreciate.

The Herald contacted the artist John Walsh, who was on his way up the Coast to meet with a concerned citizen, Kevin Ngata.

“It’s a shame,” he said. “We need to look at ways of going forward. We’ve got to do something.”