McCahon mural moved to safe storage
Date: 23 January 2008
Visitors to Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre at Waikaremoana are advised that the McCahon mural has left the building. Department of Conservation East Coast Hawke's Bay Conservator, Peter Williamson said today that removal of the painting was part of a process to rearrange office functions and protect taonga held at the Visitor Centre while information on the current state of the building is being assessed.
"We recently received advice that due to a combination of construction faults and subsequent deterioration of building materials in the upper levels of the Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre, there is potential for major structural damage to occur in the event of a serious earthquake. McCahon's Urewera Mural was the largest cultural item held at the Visitor Centre and we are delighted that for the immediate future, the painting will be well cared for by the experienced staff at Auckland Art Gallery," Mr Williamson said.
The Urewera Mural was commissioned for the Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre when the John Scott designed building was constructed in the mid 1970s. In 1997 Sarah Hillary of Auckland Art Gallery carried out conservation work on the painting in accordance with a conservation plan she had been commissioned to prepare in 1995. In June 1997 the painting was stolen from the Visitor Centre and 15 months later was returned. Following its return, the painting was again conserved and exhibited at a number of North Island sites before being returned to the Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre in 2000.
"According to its conservation plan the mural was due to be assessed and, if necessary, have conservation work done on it in 2008, so the move to the Auckland Art Gallery is quite timely. We have asked Sarah Hillary to report on the condition of the painting before it goes into storage. We appreciate the professional skills and care shown by Auckland Art Gallery staff in work they have done on the painting over the years and are confident that the mural is in good hands in its temporary home," Mr Williamson said.
Work is currently underway to transfer the reception area at the Visitor Centre to the basement of the building. The basement is constructed of reinforced concrete and has been assessed as being solid enough to withstand major seismic stress. Taonga held at the Visitor Centre will continue to be stored in appropriate conditions in the basement area of the building.
"We are mindful of our responsibilities to care for taonga held at the Visitor Centre and to provide information to the public, and can do both, for the short term, from the basement. For the long term we are currently collecting professional advice on our options. Our decisions on the future of Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre and taonga held there, including the McCahon mural, will be guided by consultation with relevant community members," Mr Williamson said.