A visit to Christchurch, New Zealand

I have just returned from my first visit to Christchurch, in the south island of New Zealand, and am still stunned by the devastation that still remains in the CBD after the major earthquake after 3 1/2 years. 

 

 

 

It is hard to see that Christchurch can fully recover given the problems that face it, emotionally, financially and socially.   There is just so much to do and so many obstacles facing the inhabitants of the city that one can understand why so much of the current development is taking place in the suburbs, rather than in the CBD.

 

When we arrived at our hotel, I assumed that we were on the outskirts of the CBD, in a new development zone, because of all the rubble and the  security fences.     

 

 

However, a stroll around the block informed me that we were actually in the centre of the CBD, overlooking the partially destroyed cathedral.  Other tourists walked around the city too, looking as shell-shocked as we were as they took in the destruction. There is very little to do for tourists since so many of the shops, restaurants and entertainment have completely disappeared, but the locals must be suffering far more over the loss of their beautiful old buildings and their history, the steep decline in tourist dollars, the destruction of workplaces and jobs, and the disappearance of a symbolic heart to the city.

 

 

The art gallery has been severely damaged, but, as part of the ReStart program, the city has tried to inject some hope, creativity, life and  beauty through artistic additions to the rubble. 

 

These stencils are part of The Stencil Art Project, where students from Years 8 to 13 were asked to create a self-portrait stencil,and they are displayed in Cashel Street.

 

The Chalice still stands in front in Cathedral Square

 

 but, the security fences around the Cathedral  and other construction sites are decorated

 

There are also quite a few pieces of street art adorning the bare walls of various of the building walls which still remain

 

 

And, some buildings and images of beauty still remain.  The old museum has recoverd fairly well

and contains some interesting pieces of New Zealand's past

 

 as well as some rather fine examples of Asian art, including some lovely examples of snuff bottles.

Some of the old houses are very photogenic

and the one used by the dyslexia foundation has some lovely little sculptures in the front garden:

And, there are still craft markets in the city, with examples of woodwork, jewellery featuring paua shell and the New Zealand greenstone/ pounamu for sale.

Back home, I have decided to focus on my own work.  Here are the flat discs that I have been working on for some upcoming mobiles.