Tukutuku Panels - Shirley Library has won the online poll
During the Christchurch City Libraries 150th anniversary year all thirty three libraries staff teams designed and created tukutuku panels to represent the work of each team and the history of each library. The public were able to help in the creation of many of these panels and they were also able to vote for their favourite panel in an online poll. The winner was panel number 28 designed and created by Shirley Library. A lucky online voter was also chosen to receive a special prize. Jo Wheeler from Shirley won a family pass for a unique cultural experience from Katoro Heritage Journeys: Waka Heritage Journey. Jo was presented with her prize by Shirley Library team leader Margaret Clune.
The Shirley Library panel ‘Shirley Mahinga Kai’ symbolises the past, the present and the future. The blue and green arrows on the left point back to the past and the arrows on the right point towards the future. The panel emphasises the importance of moving towards the future while acknowledging the traditions and knowledge of the past.
The panel depicts the Shirley area as a Mahinga Kai (traditional food gathering area). In pre-European times the Horseshoe Lake area was a seasonal food gathering area and the region continues this tradition with market gardens and orchards, and more recently a large supermarket.
The focal point of the panel is the kete full of kai. Fish, birds and pikopiko are represented inside the kete whereas outside the kete are the tools that would have been traditionally used for hunting. There are feathers symbolising spears as well as a fish hook.
The blue arrow on the left depicts Horseshoe Lake, which the Shirley Library is named after (The Library by the Lagoon - Te Kete Wānanga o Ōraka). The blue arrow to the right depicts the Avon River which Horseshoe Lake flows in to. The green arrows on both sides signify the land and the abundance of food. The water feeds the land and the land nourishes the people. The tufts in the four corners represent the more modern orderly market gardens and the produce they yield.
About the tukutuku
Thirty three Christchurch City Libraries staff teams — from managers to shelvers — created their own unique contemporary tukutuku panels with help from customers during Matariki. They commemorate the 150th anniversary of public library service in Christchurch and will adorn the walls of your libraries for the next 150 years.
Library teams took up the challenge to create tukutuku out of contemporary materials, using plastic, wool, ribbons, beading, computer parts and cables to represent their work, community and environment. It has been a team-building exercise during which the skills of communication, co-operation and co-ordination have gone hand in hand with design and creative techniques such as weaving, embroidering, braiding, gluing, and painting.
During Matariki, library customers also took the opportunity to contribute to the panels and learn some of the techniques and symbolism involved or simply watch library staff in action as they worked on their panel.
Display
The panels are below for you to view. Click on the image of the tukutuku panel to view a large version. If you’d prefer to have a close-up look at the panels, visit South Library Friday 24 July until Wednesday 26 August.
