The Missing Tourist

This work will hopefully cause some reflection and consideration … not division.

It is inspired by news media stories across the country in February/March of this year, about the lack of tourists and the detrimental effect that is having on businesses.  In our City, the missing tourist has been particularly blamed for the losses being made by the Hundertwasser Art Centre – the tourists are apparently missing firstly, because of  Covid, then the Brynderwyns closure and now the cost of living crisis. 

But judging by the number of people out and about in Whangarei and Northland over the summer, it was obvious that people were coming here in droves - just not to the Hundertwasser.  Visitors to Northland talked about our beaches, our history (with its close link to Waitangi), our bush, the Poor Knights and our culture.  These are authentically ‘ours’. 

My observation of the Hundertwasser project, was that its main aim was to attract tourists who would then spend their money to the benefit of local businesses and the local economy.  It was not intended to showcase our local art, it was not intended as an authentic representation of our local culture (defined as “the way we do things around here”), it was intended as a tourist attraction to attract money. 

As an artist I have always understood, that if I approach a blank canvas with the focus on attracting buyers who will spend money on my work, then that work would lack authenticity.  It would not feel like “my work” and in my opinion, it would lack ‘soul’.  The buyers of my artwork tell me they felt a connection with that work and they recognised it as true to my style, my colour palette and my message.

My reflections on this topic brought up several questions. 

“Is it a particularly good idea to base one’s financial security on visitors?” 

If the answer is ‘yes’, might it not be wise to research what visitors are actually coming for?  Recent comments from cruise ship visitors suggest that they came for the same reasons our summer visitors came, our culture, our environment, our marine experiences – to see who we really are.

And the deeper question “Why did we think that was not enough?”

This work, in particular, offers a starting point for conversation.  It is not a conclusion.