oOh! Community
Art in the Hood 2024: Nature Taking Over
This year marks the fifth anniversary of Art in the Hood, a nationwide community art project. Students were invited to create artwork illustrating how their neighbourhood might look if nature took over.
The finalists and winners from each school, announced in early December, were chosen by our expert panel of judges. Their artwork will be proudly displayed on shelters near their schools.
2024 Judging Panel
Wayne Gazley
CEO – Keep New Zealand Beautiful
What started as a neighbourhood graffiti clean-up eight years ago ignited a passion for a clean and healthy environment. This resulted in Wayne establishing The Keep Hutt Valley Beautiful Trust. This voluntary trust now not only organises its own events but also supports numerous other clean up and beautification groups throughout the Hutt Valley. Wayne participates in as many of these events as possible.
Earlier this year Wayne became involved with Keep New Zealand Beautiful and took on the role of Honorary CEO.
Chris Swift
Creative Director, Creative@AT – Auckland Transport
Chris Swift is the Creative Director of Auckland Transport’s Creative@AT. Before joining AT, he worked at some of Australasia’s most respected and awarded advertising agencies.
Under Chris’s leadership, Creative@AT was established to deliver fresh, insightful thinking for the entire organisation. With curiosity, collaboration and craft as their mantra, Chris’s team works to promote AT’s huge range of vital services to all Aucklanders in interesting and inspiring ways. Chris says: “As someone who believes in the power of creative ideas and art, I’m thrilled to be one of the judges for this year’s Art in the Hood.”
Daniela Biaggio
Urban Ecology Manager – Wellington City Council
Daniela is passionate about fostering connections between people and nature. Originally from Argentina, Daniela has been based in Wellington for over a decade and feels privileged to work to retain and restore nature in a city with a community that shares that passion.
She believes art brings us closer to nature by allowing us to see, feel, and appreciate its beauty and intricacies in new ways, inspiring a deeper connection and commitment to protect it and letting us celebrate our love and appreciation of the natural world.
Mansour Johari
Passenger Transport Engineer – Christchurch City Council
Mansour leads the delivery of public transport infrastructure upgrades and respond to day-to-day infrastructure needs of the network. Prior to coming to Christchurch City Council, he completed a PhD in public transport modelling. He is interested to create a public transport network which is reliable, accessible, and enjoyable to use for people in all ranges of age and ability.
Having installed many shelters at bus stops and school bus stops, Mansour greatly appreciates the idea of Art in the Hood and is looking forward to seeing many fresh ideas.
Winner
Ruby, 11 – Karori Normal School
Wayne Gazley – CEO, Keep NZ Beautiful
“Ruby captured the Karori landmark realistically, and it showed how nature would overtake the Karori tunnel. Great use of colours and perspective and her picture is eye catching.”
Chris Swift – Creative Director, Auckland Transport
“Ruby created a striking image of trees and other foliage taking over a tunnel made of tough material like concrete and stone. The simple tunnel / underpass is something many people would normally recognise – which makes it even more memorable when we see it portrayed here being taken over by nature.
Overall, I think this piece of art answers the brief of Nature Taking Over very well. Well done to the artist!”
Finalists
Bayfield School
Kohia Terrace School
Karori Normal School
St Mary’s School
Thank you to everyone who took part in Art in the Hood 2024!
oOh! Community believe that Out of Home is so much more than an advertising channel. We play an integral role in the communities in which we operate by creating engaging environments that aim to inform, entertain and inspire citizens; and we contribute to the funding of important public infrastructure. This is reflected in our company purpose of making public spaces better.
Want to know more?
Get in touch
