Huia mural brings dull theatre building alive
It’s home to some of some of the Waikato’s most colourful, imaginative, beautiful and thrilling plays, shows and concerts.
And now the Meteor Theatre has an exterior to match the activities that happen inside the building, in the form of a pair of gigantic huia.
Artists Paul Bradley and Mikaere Gardiner have spent the past four days painting a huge mural of the huia on the side of the theatre, on the corner of Victoria and Bridge streets. The makeover effectively transforms the building’s dull brown outsides to possibly one of the most eye-catching sights in Hamilton.
The artwork’s arrival has been timed to coincide with the Hamilton Fringe Festival, which begins on Thursday, March 12.
Organised in conjunction with the One Victoria Trust, which manages the theatre, the mural was funded by a grant. Bradley, who hails from Auckland but now lives in Hamilton, and Gardiner, of Taupo, are both prolific artists.
‘‘The trust were great. They let us plan beforehand and come up with a design that they were quite happy for us to go with,’’ Bradley said.
‘‘The image shows a pair of huia, a male and a female. The female is the one with the longer beak. They are now extinct but they were a very special bird and there were quite a lot around the Waikato. Maori chiefs used huia feathers on their korowai cloaks.
‘‘Most of the depictions of the huia that I have seen are quite flat and lifeless – to match a bird that is literally dead. We wanted to show an animal that was full of vibrancy and beauty.
‘‘We have also incorporated a tukutuku pattern that represents ascending to greater things. And that’s what happens in this theatre. People go there and create and challenge themselves, and audiences go there and let themselves be challenged. It’s all about flying high.’’
One Victoria Trust member Charlotte Isaac said decorating the building was long overdue.
‘‘We really wanted to bring visibility to the theatre and show that The Meteor is a creative hub. It’s not just performing arts, it’s a multimedia centre.
The mural was funded by a $3000 grant from Hamilton City Council’s arts and culture fund, as well as some private sponsorship.
‘‘It’s a beautiful building on the inside. Now it looks less like a factory and more like a place where fantastic things happen.’’
More details on the festival can be found at hamiltonfringe.co.nz.
mike.mather@fairfaxmedia.co.nz