Hastings Library war mural gets special treatment

The famous war mural in the Hall of Memories at the Hastings War Memorial Library is to undergo preventive conservation treatment starting Monday, November 13.

Painted in 1959 and listed as a public artwork, the mural was designed and painted by war artist Peter McIntyre OBE. It depicts an assault by the joint branches of the armed forces on an unspecified beach.

Professional conservator Carolina Izzo has been commissioned to assess the condition of the mural and undertake any repair work.

Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the conservation treatment had been scheduled regularly to ensure the integrity and long-term preservation of what is an irreplaceable public work.

The treatment may include cleaning the overall paint surface along with retouching and repairs to areas where it has lost some colour.

The Hall of Memories entrance to the library will be closed on Friday, November 10 so scaffolding can be safely erected, but will be open to the public while the conservation work is taking place.

Library visitors will be able to partially observe the conservator at work in the Hall of Memories, with work expected to be finished on Thursday, November 16.

About Peter McIntyre:

Dunedin-born artist Peter McIntyre was appointed New Zealand’s official war artist in January 1941. Between 1941 and 1945 he recorded the activities of 2NZEF in Crete and North Africa, and at Cassino in Italy. His war artwork, exhibited in Europe and New Zealand, defined the New Zealand soldier’s experience of the Second World War.

About Studio Izzo:

Studio Izzo is a professional art conservation practice based in Auckland. The team of professionally trained and accredited art conservators offers a wide range of remedial art conservation treatments to private, gallery, and museum collections.

The Studio Izzo heritage team specialises in the project management of restoration and conservation procedures on heritage buildings, alongside helping architects and designers to build new heritage for the future. https://www.studioizzo.co/

7 November 2023

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