Flox
Te Maru/The Shelter. 2018
LOCATION: Hector Blacks back wall
“The Shelter” acknowledges the geographical, historical and cultural significances of Timaru and the greater South Canterbury.
Paying homage to the town’s possible original name “Te Maru” (The Shelter), the natural peak of the building facade was a drawcard in conveying this simple statement. The Cabbage Tree also makes itself known, making reference to another possible meaning of the town’s name:
Timaru was a sheltered spot geographically and deemed worthy by early Maori as a place of rest on their long journeys up and down the eastern coastline. Nowadays, in a more contemporary context, the port has been transformed and refurbished into a modern outdoor environment where people can relax, socialise and come together as a community. The mural aspires to contribute to this.
Like all of Flox’s outdoor pieces, the artwork also pays homage to a number of native species found in the South Canterbury region, both critical and now extinct.
A Huia and the skeleton of a Moa perch against a backdrop of stylised mountains, a representation of our national losses, while beneath a vista of Caroline Bay, the threatened Long Tailed Bat, Weta and local Mudfish take centre stage in a bid for recognition.
Flox's The Shelter
Internationally renowned street artist Hayley King, aka Flox, came to Timaru and completed her epic mural in just four days. Her artist statement said her environmentally themed artwork referenced the area, including paying homage to Timaru’s original name, “Te Maru” (the Shelter). Represented in the stunning mural are the cabbage tree, a huia, moa skeleton, long-tailed bat, weta, and mudfish against the backdrop of the mountains and Caroline Bay. "It's just a celebration of the natural world." The area around here is historic and there's so much to do. You have plenty of choices in eateries including Koji Tepanyaki and Grill, Street food Kitchen, Speights Ale House, Hector Blacks and The Oxford. Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre is a must-do interactive cultural experience, which is in the same area of the historic Landing Services Building as the Information Centre.