Koryu Aoshima
Breath of Life. 2023.
(Section in the image)
LOCATION: Manawa ora Building (Kathmandu car park)
"I wish to express the breath of life with a girl playing in nature. Nature breathes as we breathe. We need to pass this on to the next generation, just like the spreading seeds of dandelions "
Koryu is a Dunedin based artist.
"Manawa Ora building owners (Wilson family and co) who entrusted us with adding not just a pretty picture on their building, but a gorgeous piece of art that spoke to their values of 'a breath of life' and their passion for our gem of a town and its history. These projects would not happen without the support from Timaru Civic Trust and the decades of work they've done to ensure our stunning heritage buildings remain to be seen by future generations and visitors to South Canterbury. We love enhancing our historic architecture with vibrant art and we're looking forward to the next project." - Civic Trust
About the Building
The Orari Buildings, Stafford St, Timaru (Timaru Herald article - Sat 4th February, 2023)
The ‘Orari Buildings’, as they were originally known, are located at the north end of Stafford Street overlooking Caroline Bay and are currently serving as the canvas for the latest piece of urban street art to be gifted to the people of Timaru.
As this issue goes to print, street artist Koryu Aoshima is putting the final touches on his spectacular mural adorning the south side of this prominent heritage building. This latest urban art project is another collaborative commission funded by the Timaru Civic Trust, Alive Vibrant Timaru and the current owners of the building, the Wilson family.
Erected in 1925 by William K Macdonald (1863-1927) of Orari Station, the Orari Buildings originally comprised 7 shops at ground level and a tea rooms on the first floor.
It was designed by the renowned Timaru architect Herbert Hall, who was also responsible for designing the (now demolished) 1912 Hydro Grand Hotel on the opposite corner (also commissioned by Macdonald).
Hall also designed St David’s Pioneer Memorial Church in Cave, which won a NZ Institute of Architects Gold Medal in 1934, as well as the magnificent Chateau Tongariro at Mount Ruapehu (1928).
The two-storey triangular shaped building, with its rounded corner and its two principal facades facing Stafford St and the Port Loop Road, is designed in a relatively restrained commercial classicism style. First floor windows set within recessed arches are symmetrically grouped, with the central windows articulated by arched mouldings and swag motifs. A prominent cornice runs around the top of the building, topped by a parapet.
A large neon sign with the words ‘Players Please’ (advertising Players cigarettes), used to sit above the roof and it became a prominent Timaru landmark until it was removed in the mid 1960’s.
Known as the Mascot Finance building from the 1980’s, it has recently been renamed ‘Manawa Ora’ (meaning ‘breath of life’), which is also the theme of Koryu’s spectacular mural.
