Bay Harbour: February 14, 2024

Bay Harbour News Wednesday February 14 2024
4
NEWS
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
‘Let’s put Bill on the wall’ project complete
• By Dylan Smits
A MURAL commemorating
the life and work of legendary
artist Bill Hammond has been
installed at the Lyttelton Arts
Factory.
Hammond’s painting, Traffic
Cop Bay, was selected for the
mural due to its local references.
“We have completed something
that he was keen on. It’s a
tribute to the community that
he was very fond of,’ said Hammond’s
widow Jane McBride.
Hammond lived in Lyttelton
since the 1970s and remained a
resident after his artistic career
took off.
The goal of getting a Hammond
painting on the arts factory
front had been in the works
since before his death, but took
on a new meaning after he died
in January 2021.
McBride said the idea came
from LAF creative director Mike
Friend.
“He has always wanted to
make the end wall of the theatre
into a boldly local artistic
statement. He put the idea to Bill
Hammond who liked it immediately.”
The ‘Let’s put Bill on the
wall’ project was born in 2020.
McBride took a lead role in
organising.
During a Lyttelton Arts Festival
auction in July, the sale of one
HONOURING: A mural of Bill Hammond’s painting Traffic Cop Bay is displayed on the
Oxford St wall of the Lyttelton Arts Factory. The project was achieved with the support of
Hammond’s widow Jane McBride, LAF, Te Papa and the local arts community. ​
of Hammond’s lithographs in his
Singer Songwriter series funded
the mural.
It is a vinyl wrap covering the
Oxford St side of LAF.
Traffic Cop Bay was purchased
by Te Papa in 2003. The museum’s
arts collection notes say
the work presents an ecological
theme – bird extinctions and
declining numbers of threatened
species.
“It is an example of local art
that works in a global context. Its
ecological theme is as relevant to
international audiences as it is to
New Zealand.”
McBride said the mural’s
reveal on February 2 was a very
special moment.
“I was not prepared to feel
such emotion as I did,” she said.
“Traffic Cop Bay was simply
stunning.”
She is proud Hammond has
been honoured.
“He would be very pleased,
quietly.”
She said many have been impressed
by the mural.
“I have been so happy that
people have spoken of their joy
and appreciation. Bill loved Lyttelton
and was always prepared
to give back.”
McBride noted the support
from Te Papa, LAF, Lyttelton
Primary School, and the wider
Lyttelton arts community arts,
which helped realise the vision of
putting Bill on the wall.
A celebration of the project’s
completion and Hammond will
be held at LAF tomorrow.
Bill Hammond
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