The walls of Wellington Police’s custody unit will soon be spectacularly brightened, after a Facebook art competition brought in entries from around the country.
Fourteen artworks were chosen out of more than 60 entries for display in the district custody unit (DCU), with the top three judged pieces being awarded prize money.
The entrants ranged from a Year 7 student, to Rimutaka Prison inmates, to professional artists. Entries were open to anyone in New Zealand and the focus was on people who wanted to make a difference by contributing to making the custody unit a more positive place.
The idea for the competition came from the supervisor of the DCU, Senior Sergeant Stu Taylforth, who had seen a similar concept in another district.
“Counties-Manakau Police had some art displayed in their cells a few years ago,” he says.
“We have taken their idea and adapted it for the Wellington custody unit.
“The focus is to hold people accountable for their behaviour but also create an environment for people to freely engage.”
Carefully placing artworks throughout the common areas of the custody unit could reduce the opportunity for damage and also create talking points.
Entries had to have a link to a theme, ‘Awhi’, which means ‘help and support’.
Acting Wellington District Commander, Inspector Gini Welch, says the custody unit can be a very dynamic and challenging environment.
“Our vision is to make the unit as safe as possible for staff and prisoners," she says. "The more we can talk with prisoners the more chance we have to understand them and support them to change.”
Winner Melanie Corby, a teacher from the Hutt Valley, says she is proud of her winning design, Radiant Hope Awaits.
“The two Humpback whales show ‘awhi’, which means ‘help, embrace, nurture and protect’. They portray ‘tuakana-teina’, the relationship of older helping younger,” she says.
“Camouflaged intertwining sea creatures inside the whales are the people and agencies that help us in times of need. The lighthouse represents safety and security as there's always a path of light in the darkness to guide us through deep waters.”
Mana Wahine, by artist Terina Wairau, won second prize. “Wahine were the first to grow a culture in New Zealand,” she says.
“They created and sustained life while following their own paths with support from their whanau and community.”
Third place-getter Jared Cantlon, from Christchurch, created Awhina, which illustrates two pillars. “The art depicts two embracing hands – someone stuck and reaching out for help.”
Senior Sergeant Taylforth says he was blown away by the number of entries and the high levels of creativity on display.
“The artworks that were submitted amazed me and made the judge’s role very difficult,” he says.
“Artists interpreted the theme in quite different ways and created wonderful entries with really meaningful stories.”
Police would like to thank the Police Leader’s Guild and Wellington City Council for their support of this project.