Kiwi artist brought home to support Christchurch fundraiser

Media release
15 December 2014

PAINTING THE GIRAFFES
Kiwi artist brought home to support Christchurch fundraiser

Nudes, landscapes, fantasy, pop art and a touch of ‘80s retro Kiwiana patriotism normally distinguish the work of Mandii Pope but giraffes represent a new canvas for the popular ex-pat Kiwi artist.

London-based Pope believes[1] art and painting can play an important and positive social role for humanity.

Similarly Dulux New Zealand – which sponsored Pope to paint one of her two giraffe designs in the outstanding Christchurch Stands Tall public arts project – invests in positively contributing culturally and commercially to the communities it serves.

Dulux has partnered alongside the Garden City’s leading cultural and tourism groups to support the unusual but enthralling exhibition designed to reinvigorate and develop Christchurch’s city centre.

Christchurch Stands Tall features 52 giant fibreglass giraffe sculptures each reaching 2.5 metres high and individually designed and crafted by invited artists to build a trail of unique art pieces through the city.

Dulux has donated the paint and commissioned Mandii Pope to decorate her Moa Giraffe sculpture which together with the others will be auctioned in February in aid of four Christchurch charities.

Dulux national marketing manager Shontelle Crosswell says the company is involved because the project positively contributes to the cultural and social life of a city that has endured its share of setbacks.

“It’s important for business to support civic pride and help stimulate the local economy just as it is to do its best help those who are on the journey back from adversity. Mandii is an exceptional artist who is making a name for herself in London and Europe so we are delighted we can help build her reputation in her home country,” Crosswell says.

“We are especially proud that Mandii has been able to use a selection of paints from our refreshed Dulux Colours of New Zealand®range. The range is inspired by cherished New Zealand locations and includes a colour called Cumberland Street which is in Richmond, an area that suffered substantial damage in the February 2011 earthquake.”

Ms Pope’s works for Christchurch Stands Tall – the Moa Giraffe she designed and painted with Dulux colours and The Longest Girink in Town Giraffe which she designed – feature in the city centre.

The artist puts a high value on charity support and has donated works to fundraise for various causes around the globe including in Romania, Christchurch, London and throughout England.

The funds raised at the sculpture auction in February go to Child Cancer Foundation, Life Education Trust, Gap Filler and Life in Vacant Spaces.

Dulux says one of the reasons it liked Mandii Pope’s design is because it resonates with the company’s commitment to supporting New Zealand’s natural environment while all of its colours are inspired by NZ places.

“The natural colours of Moa Giraffe represents a great Kiwi fit,” Crosswell says.

• In conjunction with its support for Christchurch Stands Tall, Dulux is running a competition for all schools who have decorated their own miniature 1.3m-high giraffe sculptures. Each school was given a pack of Dulux paints to get them started and the school giraffes are displayed across Christchurch city. The competition involves students, staff and parents getting behind the giraffe the school has painted by voting for it on the Dulux Facebook page. The sculpture with the most Facebook ‘likes’ wins 50 litres of paint for the school from Dulux. Plus, a visit to the school by members of the Crusaders to present the prize and have some fun games with students. The competition closes on January 26.

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