VAANA: Visual Artists Against Nuclear Arms / 3 March 2009 - 13 March 2009

Visual Artists Against Nuclear Arms (VAANA) was formed in 1984 in response to the worldwide nuclear arms threat. The initiative was instigated by Margaret Lawlor-Bartlett, who, aided by Marte Szirmay and Nigel Brown extended an open invitation for artists to attend a meeting to discuss strategies and ideas to immobilise nuclear arms proliferation. One hundred Kiwi artists attended this first meeting, devising a plan to communicate their message through the medium of art in order to bring change and awareness about the hazards of nuclear arms. The artists elected to work towards an effective art project incorporating their particular vision, with the message of 'peace' accessible to the public in everyday life.  

Among the many peace projects suggested and carried out over the next few years, the 'Peace Wall' was the main goal. This project started in 1985 and consisted of eight artists - Pat Hanly, Margaret Lawlor-Bartlett, Jill Carter-Hansen, John Nicol, John Eaden, Claudia Pond Eyley, Nigel Brown and Vanya Lowry, each painting a panel voicing their opinions and fears that nuclear war was a threat to all humanity. Since then, the panels and the next eight panels of VAANA mural Stage Two have endured a war of their own, having survived many transformations and attacks, where they have fought to exist. Today, the panels stand proudly on the corner of Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road serving as a landmark for Auckland and a milestone in the history of Aotearoa. This is New Zealand’s only 'Peace Wall' and it was a catalyst for Auckland’s City Council voting to declare Auckland a 'Peace City' in 2007 at the launch of VAANA mural Stage Two.

While the panels were considered a significant tool in the establishment of New Zealand’s nuclear-arms-free policy, the 'Peace Wall' remains incomplete, covering only 2/3rds of the space. Therefore VAANA, along with eight new artists, have created a further eight panels for Stage Three of the ongoing mural. John Pule, Seraphine Pick, Dick Frizzell, Charlotte Graham, Alexis Hunter, John Reynolds, Emily Karaka and Julian Hooper have created original works which will be displayed at an exhibition at John Leech Gallery from the 3rd - 13th of March, while the digitally reproduced images of the works will be enlarged to continue the triumphant display of artworks along the K. Road site.  This 'Peace Wall' Stage Three will be unveiled and blessed at a ceremony including political leaders and all of Auckland’s peace enthusiasts at the K. Road site on March 3rd. 

The eclectic combination of artworks that will form part of this exhibition are as dramatically different from one another as are the view points on the subject matter of peace. And although the works find themselves contrasting with each other, they all have aspects in common; passion, honesty and personal commitment. From Emily Karaka’s explosion of layers and colour to John Pule’s uncomplicated and effective use of space and text, to the organic and positive feelings of Julian Hoopers piece; this exhibition falls nothing short of extraordinary, packed with enough controversy and debate for many years to come. Recent events in global current affairs remind us that the subject of peace is still relevant and urgent today, marking this show as one of the most important occasions within the visual arts scene of 2009.