Find organisations, clubs, courses and moreFendalton Library 150 tukutuku panel
Fendalton Library'sBlack landscape panel. Materials: merino wool, spun wool, silk, raffia, synthetic wool, dyed branches, flax, chiffon ribbon. 2009 is the International year of natural fibre. We utilised as many natural materials as we could.
The pathway under the Nor’ West arch
- merino wool, spun wool, silk, raffia, synthetic wool, dyed branches, flax, chiffon ribbon, wooden panel
- 122 x 60 cm
- Designed by Ginny Bonisch and Ray van Schouten with input from the Fendalton Library Team.
- Created by the Fendalton Library team with help from the community.
The Nor’ West arch and sky feature the Purupuru Whetu motif symbolising our ancestors in heaven. The Southern Alps are rendered in the Poutama motif symbolising the stairway to heaven being built upon knowledge. In green is the swamp that covered most of early Christchurch.
Te Herenga Ora (the cabbage trees of Burnside High School) were a vital landmark for Māori negotiating the swamp. The Burnside High motto features it along with the words Recte sic dirige cursum “Along this path direct your journey correctly”. In the foreground is the ‘Waimero’ stream, which for Māori had life sustaining and healing qualities.
All of these features were significant to Māori and their presence here represents our library’s role of helping people find their right path in life. The Kete basket represents knowledge and learning. As the sole man-made feature in the scene it also reminds us of the historic presence of the Māori people and culture in this area.
