Daniel Ormsby's design on the TLC power cabinet is leading the way with Waitomo roadside art.
THE Lines Company has beaten Chorus to the brushes and spray cans with its cabinet painting scheme.
Te Kūiti artist Daniel Ormsby completed a power cabinet for The Lines Company last week, while the Waitomo District Council was announcing the results of its selection process to paint some phone cabinets.
Artists Kiana Ormsby and Kiharoa Blake Kakau gave him a hand. Daniel said he was blown away by the positive response and generosity from passers-by.
“It really shows that art makes a difference and brightens up our lives,” he posted afterwards.
“This design represents the receiving of spiritual energy and the utilisation of it to enhance and prosper in our lives. I’m very grateful for the trust and flexibility I’ve been given by the crew at Lines Company to let me do my thing.”
The Waitomo District Council has selected two artists to paint four Chorus cabinets in town.
“We received a total of 16 submissions that were presented to a council panel for selection, and we’re impressed by the high quality of designs,” he said.
The councillors selected the designs, he said.
“I wasn’t there. Councillors made the judgment by looking at a number of the pieces of artwork.”
Local artist Bex Stubbs’ designs incorporate raura, symbolic of native bush and native birds on the hills of Waitomo.
The second artist to showcase their creative talents is Pirongia artist Nirvana Steiner with a design featuring colourful native birds sitting on pohutukawa.
Chorus’ Cabinet Art programme works with local artists to transform graffitied cabinets into works of art to reduce the amount of vandalism on cabinets and for the local community to enjoy.
Chorus covers the cost for paint materials and pays artists for their contribution.
The Waitomo District Council will ensure graffiti guard is available to protect the murals from graffiti and unwanted tagging.
“We’re pleased to be partnering with Chorus through their Cabinet Art programme as Chorus Community Relations manager Jo Seddon says the collaboration with the Waitomo District Council helps local artists to bring artwork to the community,” mayor John Robertson said.
The Chorus cabinets are expected to be painted over coming months.
