Street Art

This week's entry is going to be light on substance but fun to look at. More substantive thoughts and commentary are forthcoming, though, as we approach the 1-year anniversary of our arrival here in New Zealand....

Wellington is an artistic city (and very self-aware of it, I might add). One of the things I've enjoyed about living in Wellington is the plethora of street art that's all over the place. Where they existed, links are included to sites that can tell you more about the artist and work.

"Ferns" (by Neil Dawson)
This sculpture is suspended by fine wires so that it appears to be floating over the square. Surrounding the square are metal Nikau palms, and in the distance is the a building done in an Egyptian pyramidal style. This is a great place to eat lunch on a nice day.

"Invisible City" (Anton Parsons)
I have no idea what these are...they stand over 2 metres tall and are very mysterious. Dominos for blind giants, perhaps?

"Protoplasm" (wind sculpture by Phil Price)
Not surprisingly, wind sculptures are everywhere in Wellington.

In this magnificent bronze statue (one of many scultpures on the waterfront) we see Kupe Raiatea the explorer and his wife Hine Te Aparangi and Pekahourangi the Tohunga sight Aotearoa (New Zealand) from their canoe Matahourua.



Maori-inspired designs can be found all over the city, even on manhole covers.

This giant Tui stands atop the Forest & Bird building just outside our apartment.

Street art murals, artist unknown. These murals no longer exist. They were painted on a temporary wall during construction work, and for once I had the foresight to snap a photo of them before they disappeared.

Not sculpture, really, but fun. This clever sign directs caffeine and brunch addicts alike to Cafe L'affare. Come to think of it, this was the first place I had lunch at during our trip here in 2005 when some of the Te Papa Museum staff took me. Nice place, great coffee!