It was a photograph that beamed around the world following the two terrorist attacks on mosques in Christchurch in March.
Now, the image of New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern hugging a Muslim woman in the aftermath of the attacks could be painted onto the Tinning Street silos in Brunswick.
A crowd funding campaign for the proposed mural, which reached its goal of $11,000 in just one day. The mural will be project managed by Breathe Architecture.
The practice has invited street artist, Loretta Lizzio to paint the silos, which stand at more than 20 metres tall and are a landmark on the Brunswick skyline. It has also consulted with The Coburg Islamic Centre and the City of Moreland.
“The image of Jacinda hugging a Muslim woman has become a beacon of tolerance, love and peace in these divisive times,” reads the crowd funding page.
“We want this message, this moment in time, remembered. We want to learn from it, we want it to hold us up, to strengthen us. We want everyone to know we are them, that they are us and, that we are, and always will be, stronger together.”
The page also notes the particular relevance of the message to the area.
“Our community is a place made up of many cultures and many faiths,” it says. “It is rich because of it’s diverse history and community. It is a place that had its heart broken on the day of the Christchurch shootings.”
The money raised will be used to fly Gold Coast-based artist Loretta Lizzio to Melbourne and to provide accommodation for her and her family. It will also cover the expense of a cherry picker and other required equipment.
The campaign said any additional money raised would go to the Christchurch Shooting Victims’ Fund. At the time of writing, $11,506 had been raised.
The mural will become an “image of unity, an image of hope, and an image of peace on these massive silos.”
Materials and lighting support provided by Taubmans and BREC Electrical. The mural is expected to be completed by the end of May 2019.
