Celebrating St Brendan's Story

St Brendan’s School reached out to me to create a large scale piece of art for their school grounds to welcome their community and celebrate St Brendan's adventurous spirit and unique story. This work was carried out alongside a group of students who drove the research and concept development. Our aim was to create an impressive, collaborative mural that is unique to St Brendan’s School.

While working with the students it became clear how important the story of St Brendan is to the school. It is the unique character that no other school in New Zealand shares. The boat/waka is the focal point of the connection between the students and their local history. Te Awa Kairangi / Heretaunga was once a very important transportation route for maori who travelled via their waka. The oceans that St Brendan explored and navigated align with the adventurous spirit of learning practiced at the school. The kura is surrounded by the remutaka ranges, tawa, tōtara, mataī, and kahikatea, kowhai, fantails, tui and kereru as well as kiwi who are re populating the mountain ranges surrounding the area. These fantastic subjects are celebrated in this artwork.