Artwork about togetherness unveiled
INVERCARGILL
A TOUCHSTONE, which recognises the increasing diversity in the Southland community and the common needs that ‘‘tie us all together’’, was given to Invercargill city yesterday.
The ILT commissioned a work from Invercargill artist Johnny Penisula to celebrate the trust’s 75 years of operation in the city.
A placing and blessing ceremony was held yesterday at ILT Stadium Southland — almost a year later than expected.
Sina’s Seed No 1 was inspired by the legend of the coconut, which tells of how a woman, Sina, asked the people to bury the head of the tuna/eel, saying the people would rely on whatever grew from it for their whole lives.
Penisula’s son, Lyle, was at the ceremony and said it was his father’s best piece.
His father was unable to attend to the ceremony because of health issues, but said he was honoured to have the ILT commission.
‘‘I know my dad. When he creates a piece, there is a cultural description around the piece — but it is deeper than that.
‘‘For me, this [the artwork] is a selfportrait of dad.’’
ILT chairman Alan Dennis explained the ceremony had been delayed by about a year because of Covid19.
Because it was a ‘‘touchstone’’, the board thought it inappropriate to deliver the art piece last year.
It had placed the artwork at the stadium, where about 12,500 people went weekly, he said.
When The Langlands opened early next year, the trust would reassess if the piece would stay in its current place or be moved to the new development.
‘‘The beauty in being here is this is the most used facility in Invercargill.’’