Bright mural brings smiles in Waipawa
The timber fence in front of a building site that was once Waipawa Four Square has been turned from functional into a work of art. Four panels constructed and painted by Hawke’s Bay mural artist Jesse Harte and Waipawa School teacher Peter Burns’ 2021 class created the 3D art pieces which were installed in Waipawa’s main street last week. While Peter is receiving accolades as the man behind the project, he is quick to credit “Jesse and the kids” for the work.
“With support from the CHB District Council and the Creative Communities scheme, a very special local artist Jesse Harte and my 2021 class from Waipawa school collaborated on some art to ’put a smile on our community’s face’ after the devastating Four Square fire.
“We ran out of time in term 4 last year so Jesse worked throughout January and February to get it completed. The photos don’t do the panels justice. Come and take a look for yourselves,” Peter says.
Jesse says “it was a wonderful experience working on these paintings with the helpful room 11 students.”
“I have learnt a lot working with this idea of “Ki uta ki tai“— from the mountains to the sea. From the Maori tale of the two taniwha of Waipawa and Tukituki, onward to the story of Te Mata Rongokako.
“Even just the geography of this river’s path is new knowledge for me. I have a deeper appreciation for these rivers and it’s history after the completion of these works. I hope that you may see these paintings and have a desire to learn their histories and inspirations.”
The Creative Communities Panel funded the arts project, taking to Facebook last week to say “we are so impressed with the forethought, drive and creativity from local artist Jesse Harte, the tamariki of room 11 in 2021 and staff member Pete Burne at Waipawa Primary School. The students were keen to create something to brighten the construction site of the Waipawa Four Square after the devastating fire in 2021.
“This beautiful reflection on Tamatea — Central Hawkes Bay, depicts the course of the Tukituki and Waipawa Rivers leaving the Ruahine Range and their journey through Waipawa and Waipukurau. We are seriously impressed with this creation and the team work that went on behind the scenes to bring this vision to life.”