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Joy Bell wants to see more mosaics like the one she created on the Warkworth clock tower.
Kaipara Flats-based mosaic artist, Joy Bell, who transformed the Warkworth town clock tower last year, gives an artist’s view of what Warkworth’s future might hold:
In 2040 I would like to see Warkworth as the mosaic capital of NZ, starting with what is now known as the Atlas site which could be the hub of all community-based artistic endeavours.
I would like to see both the northern and southern gateways in and out of Warkworth heralding and reflecting this area’s natural beauty with mosaics. I would love to see walkways and cycleways connecting the showgrounds and the Mahurangi River to the Cement Works with mosaic benches, reminding visitors of the historical importance of the river. The Cement Works could be the ultimate destination, combining the ruins, swimming hole and the boat yards with cafes and family-friendly activities.
I would love to mosaic the edges of the ruins with historical and natural mosaics, whilst leaving the interior of the ruins out of bounds.
At present, the gateways in and out of Warkworth are destined to provide the visual pollution of a transit station, signage for Maccas, supermarkets and whatever other giant retailers come along, all competing for our attention.
Everything that made Warkworth unique, it’s beauty and history, will be diluted by commercial signage.
We will end up as one big ‘service station’ for Aucklanders convenience to access beaches and beyond.
Warkworth’s identity will be lost.
