Te Waka Unua School Sculpture Project | Christchurch

Te Waka Unua School Sculpture

In 2012, I was invited to work with Te Waka Unua School (formerly Woolston Primary School) to create a stone sculpture in response to the Christchurch earthquakes.

It was a difficult time for the city. I felt especially for the children, who were trying to make sense of something so disruptive. Using sculpture as a way to process what had happened felt meaningful. Creating something lasting and beautiful gave the students an opportunity to feel proud and to stand tall again.

I had experienced this myself through my own sculpture, Reflection, so I understood how powerful and grounding a project like this can be.

The final design chosen by the school represents helping hands and “Rise Up Christchurch.” The koru heart symbolises the bond the school strengthened during that time — the aroha within the community and the support they received and continue to give one another.

The Process

Every student in the school was involved in the project.

The senior students took on the heavier work — sawing, chiselling, shaping, filing, and rasping the stone. Toward the end, the younger children joined in, sanding the surface and adding their contribution.

It was physical work, but it brought everyone together. Each child played a part, and together they created a sculpture the whole school could be proud of.