Massey student DJs Francis Elworthy, Riva Cowan and AJ Roberts
The mural was created by one of Aotearoa’s foremost innovators in Māori art and design, Professor Johnson Witehira, Tamahaki, Ngāi Tū-te-auru, who is the head of the university’s Te Rewa o Puanga School of Music and Screen Arts.
Professor Witehira selected a small group of students to work alongside him and professional graffiti artist, Jonny4higher, to complete the mural in 24 hours. Student DJs from Massey’s School of Commercial Music were also on site entertaining the student artists and passers-by.
Bachelor of Fine Arts student Imogen Maguire has painted community murals in her hometown of Whanganui since primary school and jumped at the opportunity.
“There are definitely less opportunities for up-and-coming artists to do organised public art in Wellington, so it's awesome Massey is putting this on. It's a beautiful design and it’s been great to be able to rock up today and get on the free cans!”
The mural painting has attracted great interest from passers-by in Cuba Street, with many stopping to admire the artwork, have a tote bag screen-printed and dance with the student DJs. Many spectators stopped to comment on how involved and happy the students were in their mission to erect the new mural.
Riva Cowan, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungungu, Ngāti Whakaue, is in his fourth year at Massey University, studying towards a master's in commercial music alongside the Mātauranga Toi Māori major.
“I feel blessed to be here and there are such good vibes with everyone walking past and smiling at the music and the mural in the sun. They're stopping and having conversations about it." Riva says.
"It's such a cool representation of toi Māori and Māori culture, but also our culture in general as one people. It's beautiful to see how music and art can connect us."
The mural painting was held during Massey University’s annual Open Day for prospective students and their families on its Pukeahu Wellington campus. Professor Witehira says the mural design is set within a celestial, otherworldly realm that draws from the energies of Te Kore and Te Pō, and the mural reflects the boundless potential of creative energy.
“It speaks to a shared creative future, where Māori and non-Māori create together, acknowledging our unique place in Aotearoa. Massey's schools of music, screen arts, design and fine arts are rooted in the same whenua, shaped by the cultural landscape of Aotearoa and the energy of Pōneke. What is made here is local but resonates globally.”
Want to find out more about studying Creative Arts at Massey University?
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