86 Art & About Feb 2016
ARTISTS AND CELEBRITIES CREATE MONKEY BUSINESS IN PARNELL Various artists and celebrities have joined in the fun to create a range of soulful and mischievous monkeys which will soon be on the loose in Parnell to celebrate the forthcoming Chinese Year of the Monkey. Over 30 life-sized monkey art pieces will be on display in galleries and select retailers in Parnell. An early preview of some of the artistic flair is evident in the playful and exhubrant Ying & Yang interpretation consistent with the joie de vivre and optimistic energy associated with one of New Zealand’s foremost contemporary artists Piera McArthur. Also, Katherine Carter has created Maki Moana, a ‘sea monkey’ of saturated blues and greens, which references the protection of the sea and its significance to New Zealand. Erin Simpson’s Koro is a masterful creation with traditional handdrawn Maori tattoos. The greenstone around his neck is the Manaia (guardian), it was blessed and gifted to Koro by Erin after her father had gifted it to her many years ago. Koro’s cloak was gifted to him by none other than NZ fashion designer Kiri Nathan and his spear is hand-crafted by Erin from wood collected in Te Kauwhata (Erin’s home village) sporting greenstone carried with Erin from Christchurch and feathers gifted from a family member. Koro was blessed on completion in the Waikato river using the same water that feeds Erin’s family farm and was asked in return for all his good fortunes ahead that he continue to look over those in his past and present. Parnell Inc’s inaugural Chinese New Year event will be held 6 - 21 February. The exhibition of life-sized monkey art pieces will showcase over the two weeks in various locations in Parnell before being
auctioned for charity. During the exhibition period, patrons will be able to make silent auction bids. Using the intelligence and clever wit of the monkey, Parnell Road will put on a colourful display of as many monkeys and monkey-themed ideas as it can possibly find space for. Other Parnell shops, cafés and restaurants will showcase monkeys in a variety of ways, from merchandise to menu options, window displays and other creative surprises. Children and families can join in the fun by finding the Mighty Ape monkeys and entering a competition to win a $1,000 voucher to spend at Mighty Ape. Saturday 13 February, excitement will build with two performances by a Lion Dance Troupe in Heard Park. The Year of the Monkey celebration will conclude with the auction for the Starship Foundation — National Air Ambulance Service at Webb’s auction house on the 12th March. This is an event not to be missed! Local and international visitors alike will be enthralled with the artists’ creations, the colours and visual feast during Chinese Year of the Monkey celebrations in Parnell. For more info please go to parnell.net.nz. Working in cooperation with ATEED, who will be staging the annual Lantern Festival at the Domain this year, this is set to be an annual signature event for Parnell, for two weeks each February.