oOh!media launches Art In The Hood installation

L to R: Artist Tui Emma Gillies and her daughter (judge through Artweek), Winner - SeoYun Kim from Kohia Terrace School, Artist Evan Woodruffe (judge through Artweek), Samantha Peterson (Auckland Transport - Snr Community Transport Coordinator), Nick Vile (GM, oOh!media).

oOh!media (oOh!), has launched its new ‘Art In The Hood’ installation on Halsey Street in Auckland’s CBD. This is oOh!’s second year supporting the community initiative, the goal of which is to engage local schools in creating unique art that is then shared amongst the wider Auckland community. 

This year’s brief was ‘to create a piece of art that demonstrates what sustainability means to you’, a fitting brief as oOh! has a strong focus on sustainability across its business. The five schools participating then showcased their creativity and skill with some beautiful entries. 

The guest judges included local artists Evan Woodruffe, Tui Emma Gillies and Chae Simpson – AT Community Transport Manager, alongside oOh!’s General Manager, Nick Vile. 

The winning piece, created by 11 year old artist SeoYun Kim from Kohia Terrace School, stood out due to its beautiful depiction of how we must conserve water.

“Water shortages are showing seriousness due to abnormal climate change and drought around the world. Therefore, we need to know that the natural environment belongs to all of us and cherish it. From me, I expressed it in pictures to practice using only as much water as necessary,” says Kim. 

The Halsey Street installation is included in the Auckland Art Week programme and Aucklanders are encouraged to visit the outdoor installations in their level three bubbles, whilst social distancing. The winning art piece will also receive a virtual art class for them and their class with one of Auckland’s Art Week’s judges Evan Woodruffe. 

General Manager oOh!media Nick Vile says: “We’re so excited and proud to be part of such a special project that means a lot of oOh! and hopefully the community. We had many incredible entries from five Auckland schools that completely blew us away. The creativity and talent portrayed by the students was just amazing.” 

AT Community Transport Manager Chae Simpson adds: “It’s been wonderful to see the participation from the schools, despite Auckland being faced with lockdowns. Art is a great way for students to express themselves and we’re thrilled to see these exciting art installations come to life with the help of our friends at oOh!.”

Further information on the initiative can be found here.