Under the sea but on land
Supporters and sponsors celebrated the unveiling of Koryu Aoshima's latest public mural ''Fishing'' at Livingstonia Park, Taieri Mouth on Sunday. PHOTO: NICK BROOK
Spectacular new marine scenes now wrap around Livingstonia Park's nerve centre, thanks to the Taieri Mouth community and street artist Koryu Aoshima.
Mr Aoshima's public art is a growing feature in Dunedin, and his new, over 20m, beach-front mural named Fishing unrolls local fisher-folk from seals to spoonbills and the people in between.
The roller and spray-paint work of two weeks is the latest step in the Taieri Mouth Amenities Society's project to beautify Livingstonia Park.
"The society started planning the mural a bit before Christmas," project co-ordinator Jade Coster said.
"We have about $15,000 for upgrading the whole park, and the mural has been about $8000."
She thanked everybody who had supported the project from its council and financial sponsors to individuals donating time and expertise.
"This is a lovely location to work, surrounded by nature," Japanese-born Mr Aoshima said.
"The encouragement and friendly feedback from the all the local people was great motivation. You don't get that when you work alone in a studio."
The society made the most of his presence by organising a youth-art competition with awards, judged on the day by Mr Aoshima and others.
The competition was held in the newly painted building whose best known community function is control-centre for the annual Taieri Mouth Coastal Classic mountain bike and trail run.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
38 minutes ago
- Scoop
Mikhail Laxton Announces Debut Aotearoa Show
After capturing the hearts of Kiwi listeners with his soulful new single ' I Like The Way ', Australian-born, Canadian-based artist Mikhail Laxton is heading to Aotearoa for his debut headline show happening on Friday 3 October at The Tuning Fork in Auckland. Tickets for this show go on sale Monday 16 June at midday from Moshtix. Laxton has been steadily rising in Canada's Americana and roots scene since relocating from Mossman, Queensland to Ottawa. A proud Aboriginal (Kuku Yalanji) artist, he has built a reputation for his rich, honeyed vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and deeply resonant live performances. His 2023 self-titled debut album drew critical acclaim and positioned him as a powerful new voice in what he calls 'outlaw soul' – blending classic Americana with the raw emotion and groove of soul music. Now, with a new album on the way, Laxton is leaning further into the soul and roots influences that have long shaped his sound. His single 'I Like The Way', a tender love song written for his wife, has found unexpected popularity with a New Zealand audience after a short teaser video went viral on TikTok. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading ' I actually visited New Zealand when I was 12 and I fell in love with the place,' explains Laxton. ' I was actually a little obsessed back in the day. So to have Aotearoa showing the kind of love it has been showing is really kind of like a little bit of a full-circle thing. Absolutely stoked that it is panning out this way and I can't wait to get down there with the people and have a great time.' Known for his emotional authenticity and connection with audiences, Laxton's live show has already seen him open for heavyweights like The Teskey Brothers and Kathleen Edwards. His first New Zealand appearance promises to be something truly special. Don't miss Mikhail Laxton's debut Aotearoa show at The Tuning Fork this October. Tickets available Monday 16 June at midday from Moshtix.
Otago Daily Times
4 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Obituary: Roy Ayers, musician
Roy Ayers, US funk, soul and jazz composer and vibraphone player, during a live concert performance at the Kool Jazz Festival, at the Riverfront Stadium in Cincinatti, Ohio, USA, in July 1976. Photo: Getty Imaes Jazz composer Roy Ayers was as known for the music his songs ended up in as he was for his own work. Mary J. Blige, N.W.A., Dr. Dre, 2Pac, Mos Def and Ice Cube all sampled the vibraphonist, keyboardist, composer and vocalist's 1976 Everybody Loves the Sunshine, and Ayers believed that he had more sampled hits than anyone, even the much re-utilised James Brown. The Los Angeles-born Ayers started out as a session player in the 1960s but found fame after striking out on his own. His blend of jazz and funk struck a chord just as disco was emerging and songs like Running Away and You Send Me were hits. Ever in demand as a musical collaborator, Ayers worked with artists as diverse as Rick James and Tyler the Creator. Roy Ayers died on March 4 aged 84. — APL/agencies
Scoop
9 hours ago
- Scoop
New Exhibitions By Vanessa Arthur And Yasmin Dubrau Set To Inspire Audiences
Press Release – Hastings Art Gallery Two up-and-coming Hastings artists – one with recent international exposure and another having her very first hometown exhibition – are about to show their latest work at the home of contemporary art in Hawke's Bay. Wonder Goggles: Vanessa Arthur and Tales of a New Moon: Yasmin Dubrau open this Saturday, June 14. Arthur is a contemporary jeweller, while Dubrau works between weaving, photography, watercolour, mobiles and origami. Wonder Goggles explores connections between jewellery, paint and everyday surroundings. It includes wearable and painted objects crafted from offcuts, precious metals, stones and industrial materials. Arthur describes Wonder Goggles as an exhibition which grapples with a 'deficit of wonder'. 'People today often have a question and they look on their phone or rely on Google to get the answer, rather than wondering about it or using their own imagination and ideas to find an answer. The aim when making this exhibition was to explore our everyday environments with wonder, thinking about these spaces through a fresh lens. 'This is the first time I've made something in a bigger scale – the height of the gallery has allowed me to create a metal structure. It's arranged to be directly in your path of observation as you enter, with lots of details to focus on. The octagonal shape of the gallery is great for that kind of viewing.' Arthur has recently spent time overseas, exhibiting at Munich Jewellery Week – one of the most influential events for international contemporary jewellery – as part of a group of New Zealanders and at Galerie Door in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. 'It's great to see what's happening over there and talk to a different audience,' Arthur says. 'But I think it's really great to build strong connections with audiences in Aotearoa first. It's important to have a solid foundation here to take overseas.' Tales of a New Moon is Yasmin Dubrau's first solo exhibition at a public gallery. She creates abstract landscapes in her work, drawing patterns and shapes from the environment and architecture. Dubrau's watercolours reference Japanese ink painting and calligraphy, as she lived there for several years. Dubrau has been a practising artist for about two decades. She has exhibited internationally – for instance in Japan and France – and nationally in cities like Auckland and Invercargill. Originally from Motueka, she lived in Auckland and Japan before moving to Hawke's Bay nine years ago. Although she has recently exhibited at The Rabbit Room in Napier, Tales of a New Moon marks the first time she has exhibited in her current hometown. 'It's quite rare to have an opportunity like this,' Dubrau says. 'I feel like I know a lot of people who had no idea that I made art or what kind of art I make. A lot of people know me through my previous job, as manager and teacher at the Hōhepa Rose Weavery, and art doesn't necessarily always come up, let alone the opportunity to see it in action.' Gallery Director Sophie Davis says it's a treat to have such talented Hastings artists exhibiting at the gallery. 'We're excited to open these exhibitions alongside each other, and for audiences to enjoy the conversation between them. Vanessa and Yasmin share an interest in hands-on processes and experimentation with traditional craft forms – they tap into local, national, and international conversations.' The exhibitions will both run until 11 October. The gallery will be holding a programme of events alongside the exhibitions – check for the latest details.
