Mural Masterpieces - Marlborough Boys’ College

Location:
Stephenson Street, Blenheim.

Team:
James Bass, Nathan Buckley, Deb Cave-Higgons, Logan Croad, Sudhir Duppati, Jason Fastler, Hamish Johl, Harison Kilgour, Nathanael Lane, Nick Martin, Callum Radford, Thomas Westend, Kane Willis and George Young.

Accessible to public:
Yes, access off Francis Street, Blenheim, adjacent to front field, on St Mary’s Parish hall wall.

Mural theme:
The journey through college as experienced by a teenage boy. The 12 panels are to be ‘read’ from right to left. In the first panel you see his arrival as a wee lad to college. Along the way, across the 12 panels, he is represented discovering and enjoying some of the opportunities which are available to students at the college. These include the positive involvement through many aspects of school life including sports, academic, social and cultural endeavour. You observe, as you follow from right to left, his transition from junior to senior school. There are challenges and many decisions that he will need to make to ensure success. The final panels reflect the sense of achievement which the ‘lad’, now a fine young man, is see as he ‘graduates’ and prepares to continue the next part of his life’s journey.

Background to mural creation:
A plan evolved to enhance the western exterior wall of a hall which overlooks the Marlborough Boys’ College front field. As this area is prone to graffiti it was thought that it would be appropriate to attached a multi-panelled mural to this wall.

The proposal involved the design and painting of a 12 panel mural, which has a theme supporting ‘anti-bullying’. The students thought that focusing on ‘positives’ would be appropriate. Funds were generously given to support the project from Te Punanga Haumara (Safe Haven) as part of ‘Bully Free Malborough’. The college provided ‘man-power’ and materials for refreshing the hall wall. The main artwork and planning was completed by a Year 12/13 ‘Art Scholarship group’ with support from another 40+ students who were pleased to support this community focused initiative.

The images on the panels were each designed by an ‘Art Scholarship’ student and focus on many of the positives which happen at the college. Elements of reality are mixed with fun and fantasy through this affirmative project.

Ultimately the project was completed as a muralathon. 24 hours of ‘consistency of commitment, skilful focused painting, fun and food.’ The Art Scholarship group were fully involved. They personally excelled and gained much from this most memorable experience.