Chorus and Council are partnering again, this time to transform four cabinets in Rangiora (2), Kaiapoi (1) and Oxford (1), and artists are encouraged to get their designs in before 1 October.

These cabinets become works of art, often telling stories about the communities in which they are located and help to discourage tagging.

Six artworks were selected in the district for the last commissioning round including Visual Artist Ashleigh Ritchie’s ‘The Regal Sheep’.

Ashleigh told Chorus the artwork evokes a sense of whimsy, playfulness and a touch of surrealism.

The ‘Good Vibes’ continued on Manchester Place in Rangiora thanks to Oliver Burns’ record player with a ‘good vibes’ record playing around the neighbourhood.

In Kaiapoi, well-known artist Mel Eaton has ‘Woven History’ into her piece which celebrates the wool industry that used to thrive there. While in Fernside, Mel’s playful dragon is a ‘Hidden Treasure’.

Mel told Chorus, "By camouflaging the cabinet into its surroundings, my design playfully imagines a friendly dragon making its home in this hedge, hiding away and peeking out to watch the children coming and going from the school just across the road."

Artist Monti Masiu chose to feature Pasifika cultural patterns on this artwork, entitled Tatatau. The design, which has its origins in the Ta Tatau customary art of tattooing, brings a taste of the Pacific to Kaiapoi.

Victoria Dowall created the second Rainbow mural of the season in Waikuku Beach. Her furry friend reminding passers-by to ‘Be an Ally’ to our LGBTQIA+ community.

Feeling inspired? Council will be working with the Public Arts Trust to select the winning design for each cabinet.

Artists will be compensated for their time and expertise, depending on the size of the cabinet.

Submissions are now open until 1 October and the winning design for each cabinet will be chosen from entries received.

More information can be found on Chorus’ dedicated webpage.

Background:

In 2010 Chorus began a trial in Auckland to test if artworks on the cabinets decreased the frequency of tagging. This proved successful so the programme has been extended to include artworks throughout the country.

The main criteria for considering a cabinet as a candidate for artwork is the frequency of tagging, as the mural becomes cost effective through eliminating cleaning costs. However other avenues are also considered, such as community or council requests and involvement.