Art goes to the wall | Auckland News | Local News in Auckland

A mural, for which the council paid $30,000 of ratepayers' money, will be hidden behind a concrete wall. Valerie Schuler reports from Kingsland.

Dan Tippett stands at the back of Kingsland railway station and admires his work. Large
pohutukawa and frangipani blossoms, a beat-box, turn-tables and other eclectic images decorate the otherwise bland strip along Sandringham Rd in vivid colours.

"`The mural is about living together side by side and having different cultures woven  together through art,'' says the 36-year-old.

This is one of the last times he will see his masterpiece. Auckland Regional Transport Authority is building a wall in front of it in an upgrade in preparation for the 2011 Rugby
World Cup.

"It's sad to see it go because it was so well received by the community,'' the artist says. "It seems crazy that these cultural references to this area and Eden Park are disappearing. It's a shame, but just one of those things I can't do anything about.''

Mt Tippett painted the mural in 2006. It took him and fellow artist DLT three weeks to do. The Eden-Albert Community Board paid about $30,000 for the work.

Like many locals, Lisa Clarke has enjoyed the welcome splash of colour and says it brightens up her daily walk to work.

"There's not enough colour about the place, so I really hope they replace it.''

Put up to deter taggers, the image was the first step the board took to install more art in public places. Board chairman Chris Dempsey, who commissioned the work, is very disappointed to hear it will go.

"At the end of the day it is the authority's wall and we can't ask for compensation. But we are keen for the artwork to be replaced as it benefits so many people.''

Mr Dempsey has asked the transport authority and Auckland City Council for a similar mural to be commissioned at the new southern platform wall of the station.

Councillor Greg Moyle, chairman of the arts, culture and recreation committee, says another work by Dan Tippett is planned for the rear of the old Sauvarins building, which backs on to Kingsland station. But Mr Dempsey says that artwork, which will again be funded by the community board, is a different project altogether.

"It's a separate project, which has been on the cards for a long time. We are still keen to see a replacement at the bottom of Sandringham Rd and I'd like to see the council come to the party.''

Mr Dempsey insists the Rugby World Cup crowds would appreciate it.

Two more artworks are planned for the pre-tournament beautifications, one for Link Lane, the other for the plaza on the corner of Sandringham and Walters Roads.

Sadly, for Mr Tippett and Mr Dempsey, it is unlikely that the original Sandringham Rd mural will be replaced. "I can understand the community board's concerns, but the community board and the council are the same organisation and it's not really their money. We have to look at community outcomes,'' says Mr Moyle.

Work on the railway station upgrade will begin at the end of this year. Until then, Mr Tippett's colourful artwork will remain for the community to enjoy.