My Account
An early concept drawing of the artwork for the new toilets in Western Reserve, Orewa. Artist Ruby Watson, with one of the birds she created for the Mahurangi River. Photo, Ana Heremaia.
Turning a toilet wall into a thing of beauty is the challenge handed out to artist Ruby Watson of Warkworth – and it’s one that she is excited to take on.
Ruby’s design for the exterior wall of the new toilet in Western Reserve (near Estuary Arts Centre at the entrance to Orewa) takes inspiration from birdlife in the estuary.
It will be similar in some ways to the bird series she did in Warkworth, alongside the river, using corten steel (the surface of which gently rusts when exposed to weather) to highlight the notion of weathering, tides and erosion, while maintaining a strong, robust artwork.
“The installation will seem as if the birds fly out of the screens and off the building,” Ruby says.
She is currently looking for a local ornithologist who can advise her on the specific birdlife in Orewa Estuary – if you can help with this, contact Ruby (ruby@akau.co.nz).
It is hoped that the work will be in place by December.
Commissioning Ruby to make further bird works to go along the estuary is also being considered by the local board, but will be subject to the incoming members obtaining funding.
