Only 10 days after its installation, the creator of a Wellington art installation commemorating fallen soldiers has been left with no option but to remove his exhibition due to severe vandalism. Artist Chris Bennewith’s Remembrance, which is made up of 860 white poles, was installed in Appleton Park in Karori. The artwork was designed to represent a poppy field, with the white poles bobbing in the breeze during the day and glowing red during the dark of night.
The installation was due to remain in the park until the 2nd of December, however it was severely damaged on Saturday night. The council commented how the artwork was damaged “beyond repair” with balls ripped from poles, poles torn from the ground and some taken completely. The damage is a horrific blow for Bennewith, who will now attempt to salvage what is left of the artwork which took two years to design and build.
Bennewith hopes that he can transport the salvaged remnants to another location in a different suburb.
