Plaques tell story behind sculpture

“Ruamoko” the sculpture created by Haumoana artist, Jacob Scott, has been a hot topic of conversation for both locals and visitors alike since it was installed as part of the Napier City Council’s Dickens Street upgrade in June last year.

With its bold colours and unique design it is not an unusual sight to see many people stop and admire its extreme attention to detail. However, it’s also not unusual to see some people walking away scratching their heads, wondering what “Ruamoko” actually signifies.

That will all change from Monday, 15 February 2010, though, because plaques will be unveiled, explaining the story that inspired Jacob to create what now takes pride of place at the eastern entrance of Ocean Boulevard Mall.

Cr Dave Pipe, Chair of the Napier City Council Arts Advisory Panel, says there will be two plaques, one explaining each panel of the sculpture, while the other will reveal a poem by Bill Sutton written especially for the sculpture. 

“It will be good for people to have an idea of the rich story behind the sculpture,” Dave says.

Having always enjoyed the rebuild in the face of adversity story, Jacob was pleased to be able to depict it in his sculpture.

“Thirty-eight days after Ruamoko (God of earthquakes) shook the earth so hard that the town collapsed and the environment changed in unbelievable ways – the Napier Borough Council delegated its powers to two men who ruled for two years,” Jacob says. “They were charged with the immense task of rehabilitating and rebuilding the town.”

Those two men were John Saxon Barton who was an accountant, barrister and magistrate and Lachlan Bain Campbell, an engineer who set about putting Napier back on its feet.

History records these commissioners as a people who stepped up to the task with absolute determination, compassion, efficiency, dedication and vision.

“They made bold decisions and directed the work but they recognised the skills and expertise of the various trades and crafts people, the architects and engineers and they facilitated a unity of purpose between them all and celebrated the opportunity to breathe new life into the buildings and town,” Jacob says.

Jacob collaborated with a number of Hawke’s Bay tradesmen and businesses, plugging into their current technologies and skills and worked with Napier City Council planning staff, considering the construction and placement of the sculpture, its environment and how it will best advantage the community. That resulted in having motorcycle parking uniquely integrated within the sculpture and Jacob hopes that people will discover something new in his creation every time they see it. And that won’t be hard, with stories of the bygone era depicted in the minutest details.

Go and read the descriptions for yourself – you won’t be disappointed!