Earthquake-shattered china to form memorial mosaic

China wanted for mosaic

BERNADETTE COONEY/CHRISTCHURCH MAIL

Last updated 12:03 15/04/2011

 

An idea to collect earthquake-shattered china from all over the city to use for a mosaic memorial is gaining momentum.

Plate collector and children's book illustrator Jenny Cooper is calling on residents who lost china and crockery to donate it for a permanent public art installation.

The sentimental and historical attachments families and individuals have toward their china collections, many of which were family heirlooms, wedding and christening gifts, or treasured for personal reasons, was worthy of being acknowledged, she said.

"These are items, which may have been in families for a hundred years, or perhaps the first piece bought which sparked a collection, or a crockery item with personal significance.

"People have strong attachments to their china so to have lost them to a random, unforeseen natural force can be very distressing.

"Since I began asking people to donate their broken china for my plan, I've heard a huge number of tales of what the china meant to people, where it came from, how long people had possessed it and the grief they feel since the quakes took it all away from them," she said.

Broken plates, vases, cups, dinner sets, and figurines - anything china or crockery - is sought for the project. Exactly what form the artwork will take is undecided but it could be anything from a dedicated mosaic wall design, a public mosaic garden or a public seating area.

"I'll be seeking the ideas of fellow artists and ceramic artists to form an idea of where we want to go with this," Cooper said.

"We agree it's important to acknowledge in some way the history associated with these pieces and will be seeking the support of our civic leaders to ensure there is a permanent reminder of our lost domestic history.

"Donations don't need to be precious, just prized, and I want to know the story behind them, so jot down a note with your name and number when you drop them off."

Call Jenny Cooper on 360 3172, visit her Facebook page Crack'd for Christchurch or drop off china to 263 Sawyers Arms Rd.