People power sees restart to power art
People power has seen a power company come to its senses.
Public outrage erupted over Powerco’s decision to prevent an elderly Tokoroa artist from handpainting birds on its ‘‘moss and mildew covered’’ power boxes as a form of therapy after the death of her husband.
For several weeks, Elaine Rowe, 80, had been hand-painting native birds on the company’s power boxes along her street. However, she never sought official permission to do so.
Powerco banned her from doing any more after Rowe’s story was aired on Stuff, saying it was a safety risk.
But criticism of the decision seems to have persuaded the company to reconsider.
‘‘They want to keep it under their control, which is fair enough, but they are now going to help me,’’ Rowe said.
‘‘They want to know which ones I want to paint and they will come and clean them up and get them ready. It is wonderful.’’
Rowe, whose husband died of cancer in July, said the paintings were bringing happiness to many in the community. She said she has run into several other people while painting them who are also dealing with personal losses.
‘‘One lady said she had hidden herself away for two years after she lost her husband. It is awful after losing your other half, so it is good to have something nice happening,’’ she said.
She said she was thankful Powerco was now going to allow her to paint its boxes.
New Zealand artist Dick Frizzell said the decision to stop Rowe in the first place seemed backward.
‘‘Besides the therapy side of it, it sounds like the same reaction we used to get to graffiti before people started thinking it was nice,’’ he said.
Powerco acting corporate affairs manager Krysti Wetton said Powerco will work with Rowe so she can continue.
‘‘It is heartening to see the community rallying behind Elaine, who has had a tough time recently. We, too, would like to see her continue her passion and agree she has brightened up the town with her paintings. However, it does need to be carried out safely,’’ she said.