12 Feb 2020Dunedin artist Madison Kelly’s award-winning mural is now on display at the Operations Staff and Volunteer Headquarters at Orokonui Ecosanctuary, located in the ecosanctuary’s upper grassland area. Madison’s mural submission was one of ten winners, chosen from across the country, in Keep New Zealand Beautiful’s (KNZB) Resene Nature Murals Competition 2019. The mural, titled “All Things Connected” aims to illustrate the core conservation values of connectedness, protection and growth. It does this by incorporating all the plants, birds, reptiles, fungi, rocks, invertebrates, and waterways that make up the Orokonui ecosystem. On completion of the mural, Kelly said, “Working at such a large scale and developing the work across the container’s corrugated surface has been an exciting challenge and learning experience. Having worked at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary for the past two years, I am stoked to have had the opportunity to contribute creatively to Orokonui, and was lucky to be surrounded by a supportive and hardworking team of operations staff and volunteers throughout the entire painting process!” The Resene Nature Murals Competition, which is part of the Paint New Zealand Beautiful programme, runs annually, with artists encouraged to submit mural designs which included an environmental message. Artists from around the country send in their designs, with the top ten murals selected based on their environmental message, enhancement of the community, and originality/creativity. Winning designs receive a $1000 grant, along with a $750 Resene paint voucher and other materials to paint their mural. Keep New Zealand Beautiful CEO, Heather Saunderson, said: “KNZB is proud to partner with Resene to deter vandalism and Paint New Zealand Beautiful. Numerous studies have shown the great impact murals have on their surrounding communities – from increasing civic pride, to a reduction in anti-social behaviour such as littering and graffiti. Together with Resene, we’re excited to see Madison’s mural come to life and to help Dunedin beautify their corner of New Zealand”. The ten winning artists and regions for 2019 are listed below, with their designs visible on the Keep New Zealand Beautiful website. Yeon Seo Kim – Auckland Sara Fernandez – Auckland Luther Ashford – South Taranaki Stan Mans – Hastings Jil Sergent – Central Hawkes Bay Isobel Te Aho-White – Wellington Rosa Friend – Wellington Hannah Starnes – Nelson Madison Kelly – Dunedin Claire Rye – Dunedin Design entries for this year’s Resene Nature Murals competition open on 20 April 2020. Madison Kelly’s award-winning mural ‘All Things Connected’ at the Operations Staff and Volunteer Headquarters at Orokonui Ecosanctuary. Share this page
