Progress shots during the installation on the earthquake damaged Cranmer Courts building, part of a series entitled “Homage To The Lost Spaces (Government Life Building Studios)”, Mixed media on plywood, Cnr Montreal and Kilmore Ave, Christchurch CBD, New Zealand

Post-install of work in Re:START, Cashel Mall, “View From Studio (Installation)”, Mixed media on exterior of earthquake damaged building, approx. 3.2 m x 3.7m, Christchurch CBD, New Zealand

The scars that the earthquake left on the Cathedral structure is a significant historical ‘document’ in itself of how the earthquake has affected the city. I very strongly believe that it is important to keep these stones on top of each other for future generations to remember the quakes. If it was to be wiped out I think it would leave a great hole in the history of the city that could not be replaced.

We should be putting pressure on to stop and think about how to devise a way to retain some part of this structure for future generations. I for one, (who witnessed the toppling of the cathedral spire from the southern corner of the square on 12:51pm 22nd Feb.) want to be able to take my kids and their kids back to some component of this building to remember what life once was in Christchurch and to marvel at how far the city and moved on since.

Post-install of work on Victoria Mansions, “Visions Of The View (Installation)”, Mixed media on exterior of earthquake damaged building, approx. 2.9m x 4.8m, Cnr Montreal and Victoria St, Christchurch CBD, New Zealand.

This work is a development following on from the Melbourne exhibition ‘Under Standing Loss’ which was a cathartic body of works processing the memories and the sense of loss felt following the Feb 22nd Christchurch earthquake. Much of the work was based on memories of life as an arts community in the Government Life Building studios. This particular exterior installation revises a work titled ‘Visions Of The View’ that featured in the show. This original oil on canvas was a reduction from a sketch recovered from the now-demolished studio.

Post-install of large works on Cranmer Courts, “Homage To The Lost Spaces (Government Life Building Studios)”, Mixed media on plywood, varied up to 5.0 x 2.4m, 8 no. installs at Cnr Montreal and Kilmore Ave, Christchurch CBD, New Zealand

Scoping the joint, pre-Cranmer Courts install (Cnr Kilmore and Montreal Ave, Christchurch, NZ)

Installation of artist’s studio at exhibition opening - Under Standing Loss, 29th November 2011, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne (Mike Hewson)

Installed exhibition: Mike Hewson - Under Standing Loss (29 Nov. - 10 Dec), 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
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