Artist shares works with Christchurch
A Dunedin artist whose illustration in response to the March 15 terror attack was shared around the world, is giving something back to Christchurch.
New artworks by Ruby Jones have been pasted up around the streets of Christchurch as a gift to the city.
Jones, who is based in Wellington, received international attention and even designed a Time magazine cover after her illustration in response to the Christchurch mosque attacks went viral. The artwork depicted two women hugging, with the caption ‘‘This is your home and you should have been safe here’’. One of the women was Muslim and wearing a hijab.
The new artworks pasted up around central Christchurch are from Jones’ new book, All Of This Is For You, released this month.
They include a drawing of two men holding hands with the caption ‘‘Stand up for what you know is right’’, a figure looking out of an open window with the text ‘‘No-one else knows what they are doing either’’, and a woman holding a child’s hand with the message ‘‘Look after yourself the way you’d look after your 5-year-old self’’.
Jones said the artworks were a way of giving back to the city. ‘‘We wanted to give a little something back to Christchurch and make sure they knew that they had a special place in my heart.’’
She said the new book was about kindness and self-care.
‘‘It is a book of reminders of ways to be kind to ourselves and others. Following on from Christchurch, it felt like an important subject to explore.’’
Christchurch art writer and curator Reuben Woods collaborated with Jones on the street art.
He said pasted-up artworks suited Jones’ style and message.
Woods, who is creative director of urban arts trust Watch This Space, said they had permission from business owners and Christchurch City Council for all of the artwork sites.