Artist Taupuruariki (Ariki) Brightwell has again been instrumental in bringing another vibrant mural to Kāpiti.
In 2024 Ariki completed Tuna Heke at Raumati with the help of Kāpiti Coast Youth Council.(See story link below).
This time she was working with the students of Paraparaumu School to co-produce the mural Maungakotukutuku at the end of a classbroom block.
Hayley Tanga, Team Leader of Te Whānau Kōtuku syndicate at the school says the new mural has been created with the help of artist Ariki Brightwell, who has worked alongside some of the senior children, who are very proud of their work.
Hayley says the mural was fundraised for by many, many school sausage sizzles. She says this shows the children’s wonderful work and the spirit of support from our school community.
Molly Willoughby, one of the student helpers that worked on the mural, says she had an amazing experience.
“The symbolism of our Kāpiti area and all of its treasures gifted by the land have been expressed through the form of this artwork, alongside the community’s help and donations. Students were all included fairly in the creative process, allowing us to draw, colour, and create how we thought best,” says Molly.
She says because of this, every section of the mural has little, beautiful imperfections that make it feel human and special.
“The artist, Ariki, was extremely sweet and encouraging, treated everyone with respect, and helped us all create the stunning artwork now seen by all. The skills learned from this will stay with me throughout my journey, alongside the memories made during the weeks of work. We are all so grateful for the opportunity, and I personally will treasure this as a highlight of my final year at Paraparaumu School.”
Kāpiti Coasters are seeing increasing numbers of murals popping up throughout the district as we continue to see plain spaces become a focus for public art.
For more of Ariki’s art see: https://www.instagram.com/ariki_arts/