Community art project

Sculptor Mark Whyte has been chosen to create a Fendalton/ Waimairi Community Board-funded public ar twork on the roadside reserve at the corner of Rossall Street and Leinster Road.

Mr Whyte’s design was chosen from those submitted by five invited artists.

It will reflect the “quality of lifestyle, gardens, buildings and community that exists in the Fendalton Merivale area”.

Construction of his piece will begin this month, with the unveiling expected on 3 September. It will be a wall built of the type of material mainly used for public buildings in the city at the start of last century, with an image of a father, mother and two children in period dress, creating another link with the past.

The mother and father will be the wall’s cornerstones.

An advisory group of representatives of the board and the community have been working with City Council staff on the design brief, artist selection and co-ordinating the production and unveiling of the artwork.

Five artists were invited to submit design concepts. These were displayed at the Fendalton Library and at Merivale Mall so that people could comment on them. The advisory group selected two concepts for further consideration and held a public meeting before settling on Mr Whyte’s design.

• On-site construction begins this month with the unveiling on Friday 3 September. For more information contact community recreation adviser Ken Howat on 941 6729.