Whānau, friends and citizens of Te Whanganui-a-Tara, gathered on this year’s Waitangi Day at Whairepo, The Lagoon, in front of the Wharewaka to observe and participate in the re-dedication of the punga: anchor stone, sculpted by Ra Vincent, which formerly graced Civic Square.
Ra Vincent has blessed our city with four other public works.
“The Tenths Trust gifted twin 6.3-metre Pou Whenua (tribal boundary markers) designed by Te Atiawa sculptor Ra Vincent. The Pou Whenua stand as if on the former beach, symbolising upturned waka. The perimeter of the site is landscaped with plantings.”
(– From Wellington City Council)
The Waka Pou stands in Waitangi Park and commemorates migrations of Pacific Islands people and Europeans to New Zealand.
Read the full article here.
A brick sculpture was created in Vivian Street from bricks which once buried Waimapihi Stream. These bricks were uncovered during excavations of a culvert on the site of the planned Z petrol station. Check the full article with a photo here.
Ra and his father, Bodhi Vincent, have also created a mural in Taranaki Street, with help from young people:
“The design is based on kowhaiwhai patterns that emphasise the spirit of the building’s proximity to coastal waters, and Māori as kaitiaki (guardians) of the land.” (from Wellington City Council)
Mana Whenua of Te Whanganui-a-Tara are proud to claim Ra Vincent as one of their uri – firstly for his beautiful works around the city, but also for his inclusion in the latest Oscar nominations.
His incredible achievements have been chronicled in various websites from IMDB , his personal website, to articles (here, here and here) and so many more.
Congratulations, Ra, for your second nomination for the Academy Award for Best Production Design – (following on from 2012 The Hobbit : an unexpected journey) – such a very proud moment for your whānau and for our city and citizens as well.