Public Art in Central Christchurch
Merger
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Category: Sculpture Title: Merger Primary artist(s): Bianca Van Rangelrooy Other collaborators: Gary Collins Execution date: 25 February, 1989 Media: Brass rod, copper sheeting, paint and lacquer Approximate dimensions: h 3.1m w 4.5m d .2m Location: Christchurch Law Courts Setting: Mounted into the wall above the entrance to No 1 District Court Owner / administrator: Justice Department |
When the Justice Department buildings were built, $150 000 was put aside for the commissioning of public works of art. Advertisements were placed in four prominent papers inviting expressions of interest from artists. From a list of thirty-four, eight artists were selected to submit proposals to the selection committee. On 17 November, 1987 these artists received a further brief, 'that a multicultural element would be preferable.'1 Outraged at having to produce multicultural art 'on demand' and upset at a selection process that was predominantly composed of European males, five artists withdrew. The committee received three proposals. These were selected along with a fourth art work that was commissioned in consultation with the Ngai Tahu Trust Board.
Bianca Van Rangelrooy's work was one of the proposals selected. Van Rangelrooy designed Merger, a sculpture that was comprised of "insignias representing English colonialism and Maori chieftain status through regalia."2 The main focus of this work is a Maori ceremonial cloak, which hangs open and integrates with a flowing New Zealand flag. On the left hand side there is a shape that symbolises the koru, the silver fern motif.
Merger is mounted onto the internal aggregate wall above the entrance to District Court One. Van Rangelrooy's sculpture is intended as a reminder of the multiculturalism that exists in New Zealand. Van Rangelrooy was aware of the history of the site selected for the Law Courts. The location was originally an old Pa site. Subsequently there was a need for cultural inclusion in the art that was placed in the Justice Department buildings
1Extract from Bianca Van Rangelrooy's diary of the Justice Department Buildings commission.
2 Correspondence with Bianca Van Rangelrooy, 1997.
