Two Walls mural

The Two Walls mural project aims to support a Waitaha artist to design a new artwork for two walls of the CoCA gallery. The selected artist will become part of a continuum of artists commissioned by CoCA to create temporary site specific works that welcome people to our building.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Every two years, CoCA commissions an artist to design a striking new artwork that bridges two walls: the outdoor courtyard at CoCA’s entrance and the eastern inner wall of Lux Espresso. 

Our 'Two Walls mural project' is a colourful and visible expression of contemporary art, open and accessible to anyone who passes the building or who visits CoCA, Canterbury Museum at CoCA, Johnstone Callaghan Architects or Lux Espresso.

We are raising funds to design the new artwork and produce these exciting new murals, supporting a Waitaha-based artist(s), or those with a connection to the region. 

PREVIOUS ARTWORKS

Currently the beautiful artwork gracing CoCA’s two walls is by artist Megan Brady’s (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Pākehā) Where light and footsteps fold. This artwork weaves together observations of the artist’s ancestral awa in Waitaha Canterbury with playful design elements that speak to layers of place-making and whakapapa.

In 2020, artist Ella Sutherland produced House Painting I + II. Taking its cue from Christchurch Style architecture, including CoCA’s iconic Brutalist building, designed by Minson, Henning-Hansen and Dines. The artwork considered the legacy of these iconic modernist designs and how they function in the present.

Image credit used in the campaign: Megan Brady’s Where light and footsteps fold.

WHY WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

We are raising funds to support the artist to design and produce their artwork. Money raised via Boost Ōtautahi will cover the artist fee for design, producing the artwork, plus some marketing costs (so everyone knows all about it!).

Resene has kindly agreed to donate the paint needed for the project (so yay!). Thank you to Creative New Zealand and Rātā Foundation for matching any donations to the project via Boost Ōtautahi. All that is missing now is your support!

THE PROCESS

Once the campaign closes, and we have raised the funds needed to support the Two Walls mural project, we will put out an Open Call for Proposals - asking Waitaha artists, or those with a connection to the region, to submit their concepts for the mural. From there, our volunteer, artist-led Programming Group will select an artist. Painting will take place in January 2025, and an opening event will follow. We will keep you in the loop following the campaign so you can take part in this journey with us!

PLEASE DONATE AND SHARE

Your support really does make a difference to the success of CoCA’s Two Walls mural project. Please donate or share (or do both!) with your friends and whanau so we can support a Waitaha artist and unveil a new artwork that can be enjoyed by our community. Thank you!