Untitled [Newtown Library kowhaiwhai]

1990

Manu Kopere

Accessible

1990–Current

  • Newtown Library, 13 Constable Street, Newtown, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

Type

  • Kōwhaiwhai

Medium

  • Paint

Dimensions

  • 10 beams: W2560 × H270 × D215mm; 8 struts: W200 × H3600 × D45mm

Manu Kopere, Untitled [Newtown Library kowhaiwhai] (1990), Newtown Library, Newtown Library, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

Image: Bronwyn Holloway-Smith, Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand, Nov 2025

Organisations
Associated Artwork Person(s)
    • Roger Shand (Commissioner, Architect)
Associated Artwork Organisation(s)

Description

Created by artist collective Manu Kopere, this set of 18 kōwhaiwhai (painted rafters), was commissioned for the Newtown Library by Wellington City Council’s City Architect, Roger Shand, along with a mixed media mural, and two carved totara pou.

The members of Manu Kopere were Wiremu Grace, Tippy Bevan, and Tana Salzmann. According to Grace, the library project was the collective’s biggest commission at the time.

Together with the poupou, the kōwhaiwhai depict the story of the separation of Ranginui (the Sky Father) from Papatuanuku (the Earth Mother) along with traditional designs.

See also: