Artist Expressions of Interest have now closed.

Nelson City Council is seeking expressions of interest from toi Māori artists to work alongside iwi of Te Tauihu o Te Waka a Māui to create a design which will be laser cut from steel to form the side panels of the replacement Trafalgar Centre footbridge.

The footbridge across salt water creek provides pedestrian access from Haven Rd to the Trafalgar Centre. It is at the end of its structural life and needs to be replaced. The existing abutments are suitable for re-use, so a new bridge is proposed that will match the span, width, and location of the existing bridge. The central pier will be removed which will allow more flow capacity under the bridge. The location of the bridge is of particular cultural significance to local iwi, and the new footbridge needs to incorporate aspects of toi Māori within the design.

Artists should lodge their expression of interest by 5pm Monday 6 June 2022.

Public art plays an important role in the social and cultural wellbeing of the Whakatū Nelson community. Nelson City Council understands that the well-being of tangata whenua is inbued within toi Māori arts being visible and valued within the life of the rohe.

The Trafalgar Centre Footbridge crosses Salt Water Creek from Haven Road to The Trafalgar Centre, an area which is identified as culturally significant to iwi. The bridge is scheduled for replacement in 2023 and this presents an opportunity for toi Māori to be represented in the new bridge design.

Objectives

• To create a toi Māori design that enhances the mana and status of the area;
• To create a toi Māori design that reflects the cultural significance of the surrounding area to all local iwi;
• To create an art piece that complements the nearby area and increases the visibility of toi Māori on the urban landscape of Whakatū Nelson.

Project Details

History and Cultural significance of site/subject

A workshop will be held on Wednesday 17 August 2022 to share information on the cultural significance of the site with short listed artists. Cultural aspects should be considered by artists in their proposed concept design.