An art piece inviting people to “walk” on the New Zealand flag has continued to offend gallery visitors after 30 years, sparking debates and prompting public calls to remove it entirely.
Flagging The Future is currently on display at Nelson’s Suter Art Gallery, showcasing the works of Diane Prince, who has a long history of Māori activism.
The artwork features a surveying tripod, “a talismatic symbol of territorial conquest” by the Crown against Māori, according to Prince, made from flax stalks to symbolise Māori reclamation of their land.
However, it’s the New Zealand flag with the words “Please Walk On Me” which sits at the base of the tripod that has sparked outrage.
Returned and Services’ Association Nelson branch president Barry Pont said his reaction to seeing the artwork was one of “shock horror”.
“Over the years, we’ve fought under the New Zealand flag, and to wipe your feet on it is an insult in my eyes,” he said.
Nelson City councillor Tim Skinner said he was “horrified to see the NZ flag on the floor requesting the community to desecrate it” by inviting people to walk on it.
“This is more than disrespectful. I do not condone standing on any recognised nation’s flag. Nor would I think it OK to use public money to teach visitors or youth that this is what we do.”
However, Exhibition curator Gina Matchitt said that Prince recognised the services of soldiers with “reverence and compassion”.
Another artwork in the exhibition – gas masks woven from flax – even honours Prince’s tīpuna (ancestors) who fought in the Land Wars and World War I.
“It’s just important to understand that there’s more than one view of our flag,” Matchitt said.
“For Māori, that Union Jack symbolises land loss, language loss, culture loss… the flag belongs to all New Zealanders, it doesn’t just belong to the RSA.”
Photo Credit: Nelson Mail
