Mural Masterpieces - Paparua Prison

Location:
East Wing Carving Yard, East Wing, Paparua Prison, Christchurch.

Team:
Te Timatanga Hou, Paparua Prison (East Wing) - Group of 13 inmates, facilitated by Jacqui Moyes.

Accessible to public:
Yes.

Mural theme:
The New Beginning (Te Timatanga Hou).
The Continuous Journey (Haere Nga Tonu).

Background to mural creation:
The mural project was completed over a three month period covering all four walls of an old exercise yard to turn it into a Creative Space. The mural was designed and completed by the inmates that participated in the Te Rakau/Jim Moriarty process called Te Timatanga Hou - the new Beginning in February 2003. Another group was formed and named Haere Nga Tonu - the Continuous Journey, which is what they named the mural.

The story of the mural begins with the enchanted forest that represents Te Rakau and all of the men carrying the individual strength and mana to the creative space, using magic to transform energy. The fairy goblin sitting in the tree is the guardian of the space. The waka represents the waka inmates are on to change, the continuous journey of change. The Pa behind the Waka represents 'Turangawaewae' (having a place to stand) and the hope of returning to your true home eventually.

The next wall begins with a whale, honouring the sunrise of the new day and the knowledge of our ancestors. Next is Nga Hau E Wha, god of the four winds, also representing change. This wall has Hine Ahu One, the first woman created by Tane and also Tangaroa, the god of the sea.

The back wall is the battle between good and evil, light and dark. It is an image of Papatuanuku the earth mother, being battled over by her sons while Ranginui the sky father watches over her.

The last wall shows a sunset opposite the sunrise, an image of a whale tail breaking through icy water and a ghostly Pa in the mountains, this honours the gifts that come from the 'dark' and the spiritual elements.

This project was a huge journey for all involved. This was an amazing opportunity to cross gang affiliations and break the culture of the prison. A lot of the men developed creatively over the project and really looked at their own issues that brought them to that place.