Art initiative branches out

Jenny Hill with the first of six trees to be "yarn bombed" in the CBD. Photo / John Stone

So-called "yarn bombing" is just the first in a series of colour explosions to take place across Whangarei's central business district, courtesy of a new urban art movement.

The bright colours and wiggly lines may carry unpleasant political undertones for Hundertwasser Art Centre non-believers, but Colour Our City project co-ordinator Jenny Hill said the art movement was separate from the project, though it complemented it.

"They run alongside each other," Ms Hill said. "When people come to see the Hundertwasser Arts Centre they will be blown away. There will be the best contemporary Maori art and millions of dollars of Hundertwasser art. But we want to enrich that experience and showcase our own artists and own creative talent."

The project's current focus was the "yarn bombing" of six trees along Whangarei's James St, the first of which was installed this week. A team of 15 local knitters and crochet artists were working on the wrappings, with one tree-art to be rolled out each fortnight.

"The theme is gardens and the first one is a native garden," Ms Hill said. "

She said Colour Our City was planning to host at least one large event each year.

" It's about linking our artists with places to put their art."

Ms Hill said that during the Hundertwasser referendum process, she noticed even people who did not agree with the project enjoyed the colourful art that sprung up as a result of the campaign.

"The whole thing is to give Whangarei a new identity. That was one of Hundertwasser's main theories, if a painting doesn't make you smile it's not worth it being there."

Ms Hill said she was meeting with Creative Northland for advice on seeking funding and involving local artists.

"At the end of the day all it requires is a bit of paint and a spare wall, and we've got plenty of spare walls."