The local ecology, landmarks and legends have all been acknowledged as part of a vibrant new artwork revealed at a small rural Northland Enviroschool recently. Tangiteroria School, located halfway between Whangārei and Dargaville, was a hive of activity last month, after unveiling its new nature-inspired mural, ‘Echo of Te Taiao’.
The mural was the culmination of extensive work by students, teachers and local artists, who took part in the kaupapa led by renowned Northland artists, Faith McManus and David Sarich.
Over the course of the project, students engaged in nature walks where they observed local flora and fauna to inform their artwork and learned artistic techniques such as perspective, painting, printing, and sketching.
For the first part of the project the students focused on printmaking techniques like lino printing, relief printing, and mono-printing, with the final part dedicated to mural painting and collaborating on ideas and original pictures to illustrate the school’s environment.
The mural starts to take shape.
The detail, showing kotare and bug.
Tangiteroria School teacher Eden Hakaraia said the goal behind the kaupapa had been to create something that reflected the school’s commitment to quality education and environmental values, like kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and manaakitanga (caring).
Under the guidance of McManus and Sarich, she said the mural had grown to become a ‘vibrant representation of the school’s culture and environment’ and were incredibly grateful for their time.
“Every time you look at it, you notice new details,” Eden said.
With the mural now completed and secured on the exterior wall of the school, it continues to inspire the whole school community.
The original article was published by Northland Regional Council. Ngā mihi for letting us republish.