Sporting greats feature large in brand’s birthday project
Three of New Zealand’s sporting greats have been immortalised on a large-scale mural.
Yachtsman Sir Peter Blake and All Black legends Jonah Lomu and Sir Michael Jones feature on the mural painted by artist couple Charles and Janine Williams to commemorate 120 years of local clothing brand Canterbury New Zealand.
Gathering at its headquarters on Tuesday, staff officiated the unveiling of the final artwork with Lomu’s wife Nadene, her two sons Dhyreille, 13, and Brayley, 15, and her parents Lois and Mervyn Quirk. Sharing the emotional moment with her family, Lomu reflected upon the connection the brand has with her late husband, considered by many to be one of the greatest rugby players of all time.
“It’s been a bit of an emotional process,” she said.
“Anytime when Jonah is involved it’s always an emotional journey for us. Even though we’re nearing the nine-year mark since his passing, it doesn’t feel like it. The way I keep up with these emotions is seeing the growth of my children.
“Canterbury has been respectful during this process, sending me updates along the way as the mural has progressed. It’s been a special journey.”
The three portraits are rendered in black and white, supported by striped backgrounds reflective of their careers, and anchored in the centre by the 120-year Canterbury logo featuring a detailed kiwi in profile. The kiwi mirrors the Canterbury logo’s distinctive three-kiwi design. The mural took a month to complete.
“Charles and Janine captured the essence of these three great New Zealanders,” said Luke Doddrell, the brand’s senior VP of Canterbury Global.
“When you think about the mark these three iconic Kiwis have made, they all came from humble beginnings. What we know about them is their toughness — but it’s a toughness of mental resilience and perseverance. They each faced adversity throughout their careers and journeys in life. One thing they share in common is they changed the lives of individuals and communities they came into contact with, both locally and globally. So to honour them in this way is truly special.”
As part of a series of special projects to mark the milestone this year, the unveiling of the mural follows the release last month of a 120-year campaign film directed by award-winning director Tom Gould. Featuring an array of rare archival footage of some of the uniforms Canterbury has manufactured over the years, including uniforms worn by soldiers during World War I, the celebration of nostalgia is a way for the brand to reconnect with its local audiences and redefine its brand DNA. Also making a cameo is current All Black wing Mark Tele’a.
“Where you take things is always remembering and encapsulating the earlier part of the journey which is always so important,” said Lomu. “Sharing this with my children now is special, along with remembering the people and the brands that were there to support you in those early years. To be able to come full circle and to now stand here with our children who are not far off from the age Jonah was when he started playing rugby is really great.”
Canterbury has also released a commemorative capsule collection featuring updated versions of some of its best-selling items, including multi-coloured Harlequin rugby jerseys.
“The bones of this brand is based on quality — that has stood the test of time,” explained Canterbury’s global head of marketing, AJ Moriarty.
“When people think about the brand of Canterbury’s hard-wearing and long-lasting quality, layered with all these different personalities that we’ve had over 120 years — whether it’s sailing, rugby league, rugby, world war — this has helped build a big part of our longevity. All these guys are part of our foundation.”