Celebrating the community and character of Ngataringa Bay, this colourful ceramic seat is a local icon. Situated on Chinaman's Hill near Devonport Village, *Dragon Seat* is a place where people can sit for a while on their journey up the steep hill.

Made by artist Karen Kennedy, the ferro cement frame is covered in handmade ceramic tiles.  The square relief tiles are of sea and bird life and boats found in the Ngataringa Bay.  On the back, a koru arches around dragon poems contributed by local children and there is a mermaid for whimsy. There is also a dedication to Peter Blake, who sailed the bay as a child.  "I had decided to link it to the bay and community in as many ways as possible" says the artist.

The Dragon Seat was commissioned by the North Shore City council in 2001.  It was originally located in Ngataringa Park but was moved to its current site in 2010.

Dragon Seat

A simple boat form carved from Hinuera stone sits on top of a tall carved base in Devonport's busy main street. The vessel form often occurs in artist Virginia King's work, and expresses themes of migration, symbolises the cup of life, or the journey through life.

Fluid lines carved by hand into the base give it a sense of movement, that the vessel on top is delicately balanced on the base. "The form supporting the vessel suggests an elevated altar, referencing the majesty of life and survival," says King.

*Vessel* was carved during one of the summer series of Stone Sculpture Symposiums that were held annually at Western Springs, Auckland between 1985 and 1990. It was purchased by the Devonport Borough Council in 1999.

Vessel

This carved pare (door lintel) adorns the entrance to Te Pātaka Kōrero o Te Hau Kapua Devonport Library. The five carved figures on the pare capture the history and individual styles of Te Kawerau ā Maki, Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei, Ngai Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Maru and Ngāti Paoa. The figures are joined together by the traditional Te Kupenga pattern which represents the fishing net that will interweave the whakapapa (genealogy) and whanaungatanga (relationships) of each of the associated iwi (tribes). The pare pays homage to the maunga (mountain), moana (sea) and sacred springs within the Devonport area.

Ngā Whaotapu o Tāmaki Makaurau, the Sacred Chisels of Tāmaki Makaurau, is a collective of carvers that includes representatives from the five mana whenua iwi Te Kawerau ā Maki, Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei, Ngai Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Maru and Ngāti Paoa. The carvers are Rewi Spraggon, Lawrence Makoare, Frank Jenkins, Reuben Kirkwood, Sunnah Thompson and Puhi Thompson.

Pare (carved lintel)

When unfurled to its 22-metre length, the full sweep of this artwork's colour saturated ribbon-like form is revealed. It cascades and loops, bringing brilliant vibrancy to the environment of Te Pātaka Kōrero o Te Hau Kapu, Devonport Library, while challenging spatial perception. The artwork is created with artist, Judy Millar's innovative combination of painting and printing processes.

Inspired by the power of libraries to transport us into worlds of knowledge and imagination, the artist sees this as an invitation for the eye to embark on a fantastic journey through rich colour and abstract space.

Raised on the North Shore and with deep ties to Devonport, Millar is represented in significant public collections throughout New Zealand as well as internationally. She is known for creating two-dimensional works that share the spaces we inhabit, rather than sitting on walls that surround us.

Karen Kennedy

Dragon Seat

"Sit, be at peace and hear the song of Ngataringa."

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