A Royal Parade of all sorts (as a nod to the neighbouring Theatre Royal).
The 12 grungy white-washed windows, each divided into four portrait panes, were a new linear mural opportunity. The windows allowed natural light into an adjacent mechanic’s workshop, so a simple black line design was chosen to reduce blocking out the sunlight.
The mural consists of stick figures (which often symbolise humanity in its most basic form) interacting with various creatures and strange symbols. A giraffe with its long neck penetrates a long ‘dotted cloud’ in order to gain a higher perspective. Butterflies released from the giraffe’s back suggest symbols of transformation, rebirth and freedom.
The symbols are based on some existing graffiti that was left in place. The 48 separate black and white images are playful and connected, leading the observer down the Royal Theatre Laneway to arrive at two large colourful faces signifying the back entrance to the Theatre Royal and to Rockquest.
Richard Sellars, artist
Richard Sellars did the concept designs, and 11 artists scaled them up and painted them on the windows over a single Sunday morning. The emphasis of this collaborative creative group endeavour was to produce in a free flowing, spontaneous and joyful way to bring a little ‘lift in spirits’ to a forgotten lane way.
There’s a great article here in the Nelson Mail (paywalled).
The two hour mural was completed by
Artists : Anne Rush, Brian Riley, Hélène Kösem & Audrey Anderson (Make/Shift Spaces); Pete Rainey (Rockquest); Alan Gray, Liz Gavin & Jo Kearney (Boffa Miskell); and Sonia Walker and Helen Riddell.
All worked as volunteers for the fun of doing such a project.
Massive thanks to Rockquest, Boffa Miskell, and to the property owner. We also had a wonderful anonymous donor – big thanks to you-know-who-you-are!
