Tarquin Prince-Pike

Identity: A Public Exhibition of Threatened Birds focuses on a small part of Aotearoa’s diverse birdlife. Predator-free islands play a vital role in protecting indigenous wildlife and all of these birds reside on one of these island sanctuaries, Tiritiri Matangi. This project intends to raise questions over the identity of the birds, ourselves and our relationship with them through education and the celebration of the unique wildlife that shapes Aotearoa. Located in the open advertising sphere allows for a truly public exhibition. There is a strange paradox created with Adshel’s free public shelters housing these fragile creatures in an environment that they can no longer inhabit. Re-exposing glimpses of these beautiful birds intends to highlight their value as part of the identity that is New Zealand, and to encourage others to assist and support the continuing care and protection of our fragile wildlife.

Identity was on display in Auckland’s bus shelters and street furniture from the 14-27 September 2009. It was a non-profit, public exhibition sponsored by Adshel that was timed to coincides with Conservation Week: Get Involved (13-20 September 2009). Here is a map with all the bus shelter locations.

This project was undertaken as part of Tarquin's Honors student at the Elam School of Fine Arts. The Elam Graduate Show of 2009 exhibited a bus shelter in the school holding a selection of the creatives and a Artist book containing a conprehensive record of the exhibition. This book now held at The University of Auckland's Fine Art libary.

Tiritiri Matangi (a placed tossed by the wind) is a predator-free island that is located in the Hauraki Gulf, 4km from the end of Whangaparaoa Peninsula (as seen on the horizon in the background photograph), and is one of many precious islands that form a safety network for New Zealand’s unique plant and wildlife. Many of New Zealand’s native and endemic species evolved without mammalian predators for so long that they struggle to or cannot survive living in competition with them. The island was declared a sanctuary in 1980 and with the joint help of professional conservationists and volunteers it has been extensively replanted, cleared of pests and is again home to many of New Zealand’s indigenous birds, plants and reptiles. Its open status as a sanctuary allows the public to visit via ferry or boat so that everyone can experience the young forest and splendid bird song, which is rare in many of the mainland forests.

Thank you to all supporters including Adshel, Claude Leonard, Liz Maire (DOC), Helen Cain (SoTM), Robert Tauva, La Lumiere, Belinda Gregg, Georgia Prince, Megan Jenkinson, family and friends. Special thanks must also go out to those who have sponsored to help with the printing and set up of these large images; without whom none of this is would be possible.