The birds have return to nest
The Squabbling Bird statue that greeted visitors at the entrance to the Feilding Library are now nesting at the opposite end of the Manawatū Community Hub Libraries, taking pride of place on a new Corten steel plinth.
Manawatū District Council staff knew it was important to incorporate the statue into the new landscaping design to ensure the gift from John Fuller could continue to be honoured.
What wasn’t expected throughout the redevelopment of the Manawatū Community Hub Libraries was how many people would inquire about the statue – a good reminder that you don’t truly always recognise the gift you give others until it’s not there to enjoy.
The statue was originally unveiled in 2004 by artist John Fuller and his granddaughter, Hannah Rubery. John was born in London in 1921, moved to New Zealand in 1923 and was a Lance Bombardier during World War II. When he returned from service, he married Jean and had six children; Claire, Stephen, Kate, Alison & Rachel. Jean passed away suddenly in 1978 and it’s then that John turned his life to art.
He held the position of Head of Arts at Feilding High School for approximately 40 years, instilling his passion to others and cementing history through the creation of the Sheaf Yearbook. Smokey Joe, as he was affectionately named because of the pipe he smoked, was also the president of the NZ Society of Potters.
Although granddaughter Hannah isn’t sure where the inspiration for the Squabbling Birds statue originated, she can remember seeing it being constructed in John’s shed. She was 11 at the time of the unveiling. The Feilding famous bronzed Drover and Dog statue that stands guard on Kimbolton Road is also John’s work. He has bronze works and oil paintings across New Zealand and many of his children have continued the artistic legacy including Stephen who created the coronation coin for King Charles III, Mike who created the bronzed whales for Kapiti coast and Rachel who teaches art in Whangarei.
“Reviving the plinth and reinstalling the Squabbling Birds as part of the landscaping plan has been a special touch to the overall redevelopment”, Erica Rowe Community Parks and Property Adviser explains. “Gifts like the statue remind us that we are custodians of the past and makers of the future. It was an honour to include the Fuller family in decisions around the new plinth.”
John Fuller passed away in 2012 at the age of 91.
The original unveiling of the statue. Granddaughter Hannah, then 11, stands watching the unveiling.
The Squabbling Bird Statue on its new plinth at the Manawatū Community Hub Libraries.