Local artist unveils award-winning mural at Hospital

Wellington artist, Rosa Friend, has unveiled her award-winning mural outside the window of the long-term ward at Wellington Hospital.

Rosa was one of ten winners from across the country who took out the top prize in Keep New Zealand Beautiful’s (KNZB) Resene Nature Murals Competition 2019.

The mural, titled ‘Aotearoa Lane’ showcases a beautiful native New Zealand setting. In her submission Rosa said she wanted to provide a mural that would allow patients in the long-term ward to escape.

“I want them to have a view that will be teeming with New Zealand flora, a wild coastline and some friendly endemic birds such as the kererū, pīwakawaka and tui.”

On completion of the mural Rosa said: “Beginning this mural was quite daunting because of the scale and the division of panels. Luckily, I had the use of an amazing studio which meant I could move the panels around (with help) and really enjoy the process, uninhibited by space or weather. I am so proud to have received some really positive feedback from the staff and patients at Wellington Hospital who have said it has brought joy and interest to their view”.

The Resene Nature Murals Competition, which is part of the Paint New Zealand Beautiful programme, ran from February - April 2019, with artists encouraged to submit mural designs which included an environmental message. Artists from around the country sent in their designs, with the top ten murals selected based on their environmental message, enhancement of the community, and originality/creativity. Winning designs receive a $1000 grant, along with a $750 Resene paint voucher and other materials to paint their mural.

KNZB CEO, Heather Saunderson, said: "KNZB is proud to partner with Resene again this year to deter vandalism and Paint New Zealand Beautiful. Numerous studies have shown the great impact murals have on their surrounding communities - from increasing civic pride, to a reduction in anti-social behaviour such as littering and graffiti. Together with Resene, we're excited to see Rosa’s mural come to life and to help Auckland beautify their corner of New Zealand".

The ten winning artists and regions are listed below, with their designs visible on the Keep New Zealand Beautiful website.

• Yeon Seo Kim – Auckland
• Sara Fernandez – Auckland
• Luther Ashford – South Taranaki
• Jil Sergent – Central Hawkes Bay
• Stan Mans – Hastings
• Rosa Friend – Wellington
• Isobel Te Aho-White – Wellington
• Hannah Starnes – Nelson
• Madison Kelly – Dunedin
• Claire Rye – Dunedin

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