Skip to main content

Totems + Milk




On our recent re-visit to the Symonds Street Cemetery right next to the Jewish section is this mural painted on the side of an old building. Named "Totems + Milk" it was painted by artist Reuben Winter who sadly was successful in committing suicide in 2020 with the dates "1994 - 2020" signifying his birth and death. 

Young Reuben suffered from chronic pain and fatigue illness, he also worked with many influential New Zealand artists. Such a talented young man will I'm surely be well missed.

Linking up with Mural Monday.

Comments

Tom said…
...a smiling face and a sad story.
Bertiebo said…
Yes that's a stad story.And a beautiful painting
Iris Flavia said…
So very sad. Now I feel dumb being mad not getting a job. This boy, oh, no... And he was so talented. What a sad "waste".
Tigger's Mum said…
Very talented indeed. If that is his face we have to comment on how a smile can hide so much torment as to want to die.
Fun60 said…
That is so sad. A life hardly lived yet probably achieved more than many in their lifetime.
kwarkito said…
a sad story for a beautiful picture.
Sami said…
It's a beautiful mural, but a very sad story. Such a young talented person, what a pity.
Thanks for participating in Monday Murals.
Such a sad ending to a short life.
NatureFootstep said…
how nice to see a happy face on that wall. :)
Re your question, we see butterflies in autum too but not the ones you saw on my blog. :)
Ju-Lyn said…
Such a bittersweet tribute.

Popular posts from this blog

Grace Brothers

  We have 2 new chickens, both black ladies. If any of you are familiar with British comedy tv shows you will recognize the names we have given them. This one is named Miss Brahms. And this one is named Mrs Slocombe. At the moment we have them in a temporary shelter next to the Special Patrol Group that we've had for the last 9 months just so they can get to know each other before we intigrate the black ones in with the brown ones. These ones give us a white coloured egg whereas the brown shavers give us brown coloured eggs. Linking up with  Tuesday Treasures ,  Happy Tuesdays  and   Wordless Wednesday .

Auckland Metropolis Museum

In amongt the modern new highrise buildings in Auckland City is this smaller vintage building that is currently for sale (I'd buy it if I had the money).   My research found that:  "It was designed by English-born architect Charles Towle and erected in the early 1930s as the Church of Christ, Scientist, the building's Graeco-Roman facade has towering columns that frame its impressive entranceway, with three ornate timber doors decorated with leadlight inserts providing access to the expansive foyer. Arched ceilings dominate the former congregational high stud space beyond the foyer and numerous picturesque windows provide a light, airy feel and an ambience many office buildings lack. The building housed congregational and Sunday school services for 70 years until it was sold and converted into office space in 2003. A significant refurbishment was also carried out with care taken to ensure that the building's distinctive character remained intact. Special architectural ...

Westland Explorer's Monument

  In the nearby town of Hokitka (half an hour away) is the cemetery with this monument near the entranceway. It commemorates 4 men who lost their lives between 1863 and 1866 ; George Dobson - road engineer, murdered in 1866 Charlton Howitt - explorer, drowned in Lake Brunner 1863 Charles Townsend - drowned at Greymouth (probably in the Grey River) 1863 Henry Whitcombe - surveyor, drowned in the Taramakau River in 1863 Construction of the memorial started 1868 and the railings were added in 1869. Linking up with  Mosaic Monday .