Reflection — A Monument to the Christchurch Earthquake

 

I carved this sculpture at a time when Christchurch was experiencing so many earthquakes that it just seemed they would never end. On September 4th, 2010, the city was woken by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake from a fault line that was previously unknown.

That was to be the beginning of a long and very stressful turn of events. No one had any idea that from that day on there would be many more large earthquakes to come, all from new fault lines. They would continue for years, with the worst hitting in February 2011 and claiming the lives of 185 people

Every time a large earthquake struck, the roads would break open and fill with liquefaction. More buildings were damaged, homes were trashed, and the clean-up would start all over again.

So much happened that everyone has a story to share. Lives were changed. For most people it has been a struggle both emotionally and financially.

To say that it messes with your head is an understatement. Many people sought counselling or took some form of medication just to get through each day.

I personally needed a creative way to deal with it. I struggled with the concept of dealing with the past while worrying about the future. So many times we were living with a false sense of security — months would pass with no shaking, people would start to relax, and then suddenly another large earthquake would hit. Sometimes two big ones within the same day.

In a strange way it became the subject of my sculpture — a reflection of remembering the past with all that was lost, and looking towards an unknown future with a sense of determination. I found it a very therapeutic piece to work on, a way to release built-up emotions. Many people in Christchurch were finding creative ways to deal with what they were facing. Stone carving was my form of recreation therapy.

After the sculpture was completed, it was exhibited in a local gallery. Within a few days another sizable earthquake hit — it moved outward and turned a half circle, but fortunately did not topple over, probably because I had purposely sculpted it with a heavy base. It sold later that month to a private customer. But now I really feel it should have been shared with the people of Christchurch.

The years have passed since the city was first hit, but the subject is never far from anyone's lips. People still talk in terms of pre or post-earthquake, particularly around the anniversaries.

The sculpture is still as relevant to people as the day I carved it.