Mural on the Berlin Wall in Christchurch, New Zealand
Reunion
As some of you may know, I was recently invited to paint a mural on two pieces of the Berlin Wall that are now permanently installed in Christchurch, New Zealand. The project, curated by the Fiksate gallery and the Christchurch city council, is to convey messages of hope and love.
Having been born in West Germany in 1986, I did not actively experience or recall the event of the fall of the Berlin Wall. However, it became very relevant when I moved to Berlin in 2015 after having grown up in Christchurch, New Zealand, and effectively spending 20 years away from Germany in various countries.
For me, talking about the fall of the Berlin Wall, an important aspect is the reunion of people, crossing over and embracing one another - loved ones, but also strangers. In light of this, for many liberating, event, I believe, for some time, many people did embrace each other, no matter who they were, focusing not on their differences, but on what they had in common: joy, love, freedom.
Incidentally, the painting on the other side of the wall is by a Christchurch based artist, originally from Berlin. It was very well received, but the installation was always meant to be temporary, and shortly, another artist will be painting over it.
In light of this, I have decided to make permanent versions of the work, in the form of limited edition prints.
It was a really wonderful project, and I am excited to spread the image and messages of hope and love around, as far as I can.