New public art has hit the streets of Papakura.
The Papakura Storytelling Project - previously the Lightbox Project – has seen Representing Papakura: Faces of Change installed in the town centre.
The project, led by local artist Kellie May and supported by Fresh Concept, is the second series of Representing Papakura images and aims to capture two different sides of a person.
People might be known or seen in the community in a particular way, for instance as a student, church choir member or rugby player.
But there is always another side to a person, one that is an equally important part of who they are, and how they are shaping themselves for the future.
The latest photographic images display the different sides of a person in an exhibition designed to reinforce a sense of pride that rangatahi feel by being proud of who they are, and by being represented in the place they live in.
Papakura Local Board chair Brent Catchpole says the area enjoys one of the youngest populations across Auckland, and rangatahi play a huge role in how the area is perceived.
“Young people can be negatively portrayed in the media but as a board we are very proud of our young people and the huge contribution they make to our area, the vibrancy and energy they bring, and the commitment so many show to their town.”
The showcase of youth within Papakura highlights the diversity of the area, and demonstrates the variety of extra-curricular activities people participate in.
After featuring in the town centre for a month the exhibition will move to the new Takaanini Library and community hub – Te Paataka Koorero o Takaanini, so the stories can be enjoyed by people across the Papakura Local Board area.
