Key Takeaways:
- The Kaitāia community mosaic wall, created in 1997 by Ahipara artist Jen Gay, has been transformed into a public artwork and memorial in the town of Broadwood.
- The mosaic wall was initially demolished and stored in a stonemason’s yard, sparking protests and a petition from the community.
- The tiles were rescued and reused to create a new outdoor artwork, including mosaic tables, planters, and sculptures, in the town of Broadwood.
- The project was completed by volunteers with funding from Creative Communities and local community boards.
- The revamped picnic area includes a memorial to local farmer and community stalwart Wayne Semenoff.
Introduction to the Mosaic Wall
The Kaitāia community mosaic wall, a beloved landmark in the Far North town, has been given a new lease on life in the tiny town of Broadwood. The wall, which was created in 1997 by Ahipara artist Jen Gay, was initially demolished and stored in a stonemason’s yard, sparking protests and a petition from the community. However, thanks to the efforts of Jen Gay and the community, the tiles have been rescued and reused to create a new outdoor artwork in Broadwood.
The Demolition and Protests
The mosaic wall, which lined a wall on Commerce Street, was created using tiles made by around 500 local schoolchildren. When the area was redeveloped as a town square in 2023, the mosaic wall was slated for demolition. The community was outraged, and Jen Gay collected 800 signatures in two days, while locals staged a protest by linking hands along the demolition site. Tempers grew so heated that project staff complained to Kaitāia police over alleged threats. Despite a pledge to rescue and re-use the tiles in the new square, the cut-up sections of wall ended up stored in a stonemason’s yard.
The New Life of the Mosaic Wall
A new use for the tiles presented itself when Jen Gay was approached by Broadwood resident Gay Semenoff. The pair had previously worked on a mosaic seating area at Kaitāia College, and Semenoff asked Jen Gay to create something similar in Broadwood. Jen Gay told her that she just happened to have a mosaic wall that needed recycling. Turning the fragments into something new, however, wasn’t easy. The tiles were in pieces, all different shapes and sizes, and made no sense at all. It was a nightmare figuring out how to construct something that was going to be fit for purpose in a public area.
The Creation of the New Artwork
Jen Gay hatched a plan to build, with help from locals, three theft-proof mosaic tables, four large planters, connecting seats, and decorative sculptures representing kūkupa or native pigeons. The recycled artwork includes frivolous touches such as mosaic kūkupa. Another local donated a barbecue, which was bricked in so it couldn’t be stolen, and Broadwood Gardening Club filled the planters. The revamped picnic area included a memorial to local farmer and community stalwart Wayne Semenoff, who died late last year. All the work was done by volunteers with funding from Creative Communities and the Kaikohe-Hokianga and Te Hiku community boards for transport and materials.
The Community’s Response
The project has been a huge success, with the community coming together to create something beautiful and meaningful. Jen Gay said that the project was about 80 percent complete and that the finishing touches would take another month. The community is already looking to the future, with suggestions to mosaic the whole of Broadwood. The project has not only created a beautiful artwork but has also brought the community together and given them a sense of pride and ownership.
Conclusion
The Kaitāia community mosaic wall has found a new home in Broadwood, and it’s a testament to the power of community and creativity. The project has shown that even the most discarded and broken things can be transformed into something beautiful and meaningful. The mosaic wall’s new life in Broadwood is a reminder that art and community can come together to create something truly special. As Jen Gay said, "It’s an amazing community. Everybody wanted to help. They can see that it’s brightened up the whole environment."