Remains of destroyed houses have been turned into a memorial sculpture for Cyclone Gabrielle

Creating a sculpture from fragments of destroyed homes is an important step to commemorate the devastation wrought by Cyclone Gabrielle on the Muriwai community, say those involved.

Their community was devastated by landslides that destroyed homes and the deaths of two volunteer firefighters.

Now Muriwai residents are using salvaged materials from unlivable Category 3 properties to build a memorial sculpture, commemorating the tragic events of almost two years ago.

Workshops have been held every Saturday for the past few weeks led by renowned Kiwi artist Jeff Thompson, whose works are on display at Gibbs Farm and Te Papa.

Every Saturday, the Muriwai Surf Club fills up with locals who come together to create something beautiful – with the remains of their destroyed homes.

Sixty-eight houses in Muriwai are marked as category three; most of them are currently being demolished, while others will be transported elsewhere.

The idea of ​​a sculpture made from salvaged materials was conceived to give to those who lost their homes, such as Pipi and her family.

“Well, we were one of the families immediately displaced after the cyclone hit our house from behind in a landslide.”

Pipi was also part of the local rescue efforts on the night of the cyclone.

She said the idea of ​​a memorial sculpture felt right.

“It feels like a no-brainer and a bit special to make sure we have something to commemorate such a – well, remember such a huge event that affected so many people here.”

Longtime resident Erin Griffin is a keen mosaic artist who is leading today’s workshop.

Everyone gets a tile and punches or cuts pieces to fit a design of their choice.

They encourage residents to bring their own items to remind them of their old homes.

“Many people do what they like about the sunsets in Muriwai or the numbers of their houses.

“It will be great when it’s done and people can look at it and say, well, I made that tile and that sign or tile was in our bathroom.”

Today Pipi breaks up a tile and uses piano keys that she got from her parental home for her piece.

Others, like Jacqui, have taken a family sign that used to be near the front door.

“This was something we had by the front door and when I went back to see the house just before it was bulldozed this was still there but just the garden lost. Yeah. When this came along I thought ohh, I know what I will use.”

Jacqui said things felt extremely lonely in Muriwai for a while, but the workshops were a chance to take her mind off things and just have fun.

“There was another group here last week and I was asked to join their book club, so that was great. There’s a real atmosphere here of people who know and love the community. It’s very powerful to do this.”

For lead artist Jeff Thomspson, it was a no-brainer when he was asked to be part of the project.

“I never hesitated to say no, I just said yes straight away.”

He came up with several ideas for the sculpture, but said there was one clear winner, as voted on by the community.

His vision for the end product is five to six abstract standing columns of up to four meters high, constructed from all kinds of materials: from bricks and tiles to taps and letterbox numbers.

Thompson has been given permission to enter demolished homes to photograph and collect material for the sculpture.

‘They’re just empty houses. It’s actually very sad to think that people used to live there and they had to move and move on. That certainly changed the lives of a lot of people.

“For me it was a very humbling experience. I am very aware that these places are somewhat sacred.”

Groundwork for the sculpture is underway next to the Muriwai Ranger’s Station and it is hoped that around three of the columns will be unveiled in time to mark the two-year anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle on February 13.

Before the last project will be finished at the end of March, depending on whether they can achieve it their fundraising goal of $22,000.