Cup art celebrates female rugby talent
With just two weeks to go to the Rugby World Cup opener at Eden Park, a series of artworks in the host cities are popping-up in celebration of the event bringing the top women’s rugby talent from all over the world to Aotearoa.
Called Support Our Sisters: The Art of Rugby, the stunning artworks are on display in Whanga¯rei, Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch from midSeptember through to the end of the tournament in November.
The World Cup had been planned for
2021, but was postponed until this year because of Covid-19.
Tournament director Michelle Hooper said the nationwide exhibition would reflect New Zealand’s love for rugby and burgeoning support for the women’s game.
“Inspired by the Rugby World Cup and women’s rugby, Support Our Sisters: The Art of Rugby will help New Zealand rally together even more in support of our sisters coming from across the world to compete on Aotearoa soil.”
Rugby World Cup has collaborated with seven Kiwi street artists to create a range of murals on buildings and billboards celebrating women’s rugby.
Auckland has three works from Paul Walsh (Morningside), Erin Forsyth (CBD) and Rachel Kiddie McClure (Manurewa).
Whanga¯rei boasts two installations — one by Earnest Bradley on Dent Street and a
50-metre work by Josh Meneheere at the Town Basin. Zarna Torpy will showcase on Victoria Street in Hamilton and Christchurch celebrates home-town girl Kendra Cocksedge by Wongi Wilson.
“To play a Rugby World Cup on home soil with the world watching is a dream come true,” said Black Fern Cocksedge.
“This nationwide artwork exhibition is so diverse and fun I hope that it captures peoples’ imaginations.”
World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said, “Rugby World Cup
To play a Rugby World Cup on home soil with the world watching is a dream come true.
Black Fern Kendra Cocksedge
2021 is a nationwide celebration of women in rugby and the street art aims to capture the personality of a tournament that will inspire a new generation of players and fans.
“With international superstars Rita Ora, BENEE and Shapeshifter also set to light up the stage, we are looking to celebrate rugby’s greatest family reunion in ways never previously seen,” he said.
The Rugby World Cup 2021, played in 2022, starts on Saturday, October 8, at Eden Park.