Sea Walls: Murals for Oceans

The Pangeaseed Sea Walls festival aim is to protect the world's oceans via public art & activism (#artivism). We had the honour of being involved in the first event of its kind in Aotearoa held in the usually sunny yet oddly wet Ahuriri (Napier) from 15th - 20th March.

A combination of amazing local & international artists, we were all given different environmental issues relating to the ocean & the purpose of each mural was to bring awareness in some shape or form to its plight. They probably had already guessed that we wanted to work on a topic that included ocean birds & from there we conceptualised a bright & bold statement that is situated at the Napier Port.

The mural has 2 key components, the first is the threatened Bar-tailed Godwit, a shore bird that feeds in the Estuary at Ahuriri. It travels with focus, strength & determination during its 11,000km flight from Alaska to Aotearoa making it the longest bird migration flight in the world.

Chief Tu Ahuriri (Ngai Tara) cut a channel into the lagoon space at Ahuriri because the Westshore entrance had become blocked, threatening cultivations surrounding the Whanga & the fishing villages on the islands & in the lagoon. The rivers were continually feeding freshwater into the area. He created change through his courage & understanding of the greater good of his people, we too wanted to follow that kaupapa by wanting to use our talent to bring awareness to environmental issues & to follow his lead in creating a better world.

'He aha te mea nui o the ao?' - What is the most important thing in the world?

'He tangata, he tangata, he tangata' - It is the people, it is the people, it is the people!

It is us as humans who will create a better world, working together to bring change that will ensure the generations to come will enjoy & experience the beauty of the planet & wildlife given to us.