Giant murals of hope, named Tumanako, are bringing vibrancy to small town buildings and fostering engagement with youth throughout Aotearoa.
Led by Tauranga artist Mr. G, the Tumanako programme is on a nationwide tour aiming to paint giant murals in small towns, with Wairoa being the latest to receive an artistic makeover.
Wairoa student Devorn Johns Isaac, expressed optimism about the murals while he helped to paint. Seeing them as symbols of hope and unity within the community.
For artist Graham Hoete, known as Mr. G, the project is deeply personal, stemming from his own battles with depression and anxiety.
“My wife and i share our stories of how we navigated through depression, anxiety and all that stuff from a personal angle. We also ask the rangatahi ‘what is hope to you? Or what does it look like to you? What are the things that make you feel encouraged when you’re going through a tough time?'”
“Hope can be powerful, it anchors the person, it brings stability, resilience, but it also brings a buoyancy to a person who feels like they’re drowning in the problems of life.
“So these are some of the things we teach our young people in the wananga and we go through breathing techniques of how to slow your heart rate down.
“So it’s not just about painting a pretty mural, it’s a lot deeper and more layered,” Hoete said.
The murals, each telling a unique story, reflect the cultural heritage and daily life of the region.
They serve as powerful reminders of resilience and unity, with one mural depicting the community’s efforts during Cyclone Gabrielle.
The impact of the murals goes beyond aesthetics, inspiring positive change in individuals’ lives, such as Warren Ormsby, who now aspires to pursue art and entrepreneurship after being inspired by the project.
“This makes me want to be an artist, makes me want my own business and all that because I get into this stuff too.”