CAMELLIA PROJECT
Liberty - Herekoretanga
For five years, artist Wendy Hannah has been weaving together environmental awareness, women’s history, and community engagement through Camellia Project NZ. Workshops held across New Zealand taught participants about the fight for women’s suffrage, symbolized by the camellia flower, while also crafting beautiful blooms from recycled plastic bottles.
Wendy’s latest creation, Liberty-Herekoretanga, now on display at Botany Town Centre, is the culmination of this project. This towering chandelier boasts 31,872 hand-crafted camellias, each representing a signature on the historic petition that secured women’s right to vote in 1893. The use of recycled plastic bottles not only adds a creative touch but also emphasizes the project’s commitment to sustainability.
Beyond its size (26 meters by 8 meters), Liberty-Herekoretanga impresses with its intricate details. The flowers, crafted by communities throughout New Zealand, come in various shapes, colours, and sizes, reflecting the rich tapestry of women’s experiences. This artwork serves as a powerful symbol of empowerment, unity, and the ongoing pursuit of equality. It reminds us of the past struggles, celebrates present triumphs, and inspires hope for a brighter future.
This was an Arts Out East project supported by Botany Town Centre, Te Tuhi and Howick Local Board.
Installation: Liberty Herekoretanga
Watch a captivating time lapse video showcasing the impressive Liberty Herekoretanga installation, measuring the size of a bus (26m x 8m). This stunning piece features 31,872 camellia flowers meticulously crafted from recycled bottles, forming a magnificent chandelier. You can experience this remarkable display at Botany Town Centre.
MEDIA
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Wendy Hannah Camellia Project NZ
A salute to the heroines from the past!
Artist Wendy Hannah is making one of the largest chandelier installations in NZ out of recycled bottles.
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It took half a decade, but artist Wendy Hannah has brought together an ambitious project that has created an installation the size of a bus - and brought many tamariki along for the ride.
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31,872 bottles mark Aotearoa's suffrage anniversary
Marking 130 years since Aotearoa became the first self-governing country to give women the right to vote, a large-scale artwork has been launched in Tamaki Makaurau.
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Wendy Hannah, Liberty - Herekoretanga
Liberty – Herekoretanga is a towering structure composed of 31,872 camellia flowers made from recycled bottles, on display at Botany Town Centre to signify and commemorate 130 years of women’s suffrage.
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Opening of Liberty Herekoretanga
Join artist Wendy Hannah at Botany Town Centre for the opening of Liberty - Herekoretanga, an awe-inspiring installation that celebrates the achievements of women and embraces the beauty of diversity and the importance of…