In 2009 local teens and children were interviewed and asked what they would like to see on a proposed new large-scale outdoor mural for the concrete stage area at Ferguson Oaks Park on Dawson Road in Ōtara, Auckland, New Zealand. They chose 'Youth culture' 'Maori patterns' and 'Michael Jackson' and the video at the link is a joy to watch as the local children /teens talk about Michael. The resulting mural of 3 panels includes a panel of artwork of a young Michael surrounded by colourful Maori flowers. The description of the artwork was listed as ~
"Acknowledging the 2009 passing of Michael Jackson, the undisputed King of Pop. A model of creative and musical excellence with intergeneration, global and multicultural appeal, embedded in an arrangement of Pacific island flora"
Check out this lovely video of the interview of the children and teens who use the park and their reasons for choosing Michael Jackson, including 'he put love into our hearts" ~ "he wasn't like an icon, he was like family" ~ the children also choose their fave MJ songs.
** Scroll through the video to 4 minutes to see the children talk about and choose Michael for the mural ~
[youtube]7b6sinkFhSE[/youtube]
Ōtara is a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand and lies near the head of theTāmaki River. The suburb is noted for its proportion of Pacific Islander residents. In the Māori language, Ō-Tara means ‘the place of Tara’ or ‘territory belonging to Tara’, who was a Rangatira (or Māori Chief) of the area.
* The 3 panels were changed into new artwork in 2013
To see more photos of this artwork:
https://dawsonroadmuralproject.wordpress.com/…/day-1-paint…/
https://dawsonroadmuralproject.wordpress.com/…/finished-mu…/
The Artists:
The Dawson Road Mural Project ~ Artists were asked to submit drawings, ideas etc and together with the requests of the young children interviewed, a panel decided on the choice of murals. The outlines were applied by artists Samiu Napa’a, Sangeeta Singh and Luisa Tora and the painting was carried out by a team of volunteers.
:artist: :heart: :artist:
