Mayor's Column: Rockwell's Art Inspires Engagement

I am a huge fan of Norman Rockwell and have two prints of his hanging in my office.

I received them as a gift and although I appreciated them very much, if I had the choice I would trade one of them for Rockwell's painting “Freedom of Speech,” part of his 1943 “Four Freedoms” series.

The other freedoms were freedom of religion, freedom from want and freedom from fear.

As you can see, “Freedom of Speech” features a guy standing up at what appears to be a town hall meeting and speaking his mind.

In my opinion, Rockwell was a genius and I love the symbolism of this painting.

We don't know what the meeting is about or what this guy is saying, but so much is being conveyed that is unspoken.

At the very front center bottom is a small portion of the front page of a newspaper, perhaps the same newspaper that the speaker carried folded up in his pocket.

Some words are visible, “Report” is the only one overall, but is that the end of “Special” right before it? And below that, is that the end of “City”? I think so.

Notice that two of the men listening attentively are wearing ties, while the speaker is literally wearing a blue collar.

Rockwell's painting “Freedom of Speech”. IMAGE: Supplied

It's all a matter of interpretation, but I feel like Rockwell is conveying a sense of equality here, perhaps as if the town doctor and dentist were listening carefully to the working man.

And do you see that only the speaker's mouth is open? Everyone else shows him the respect of listening to him.

As you may notice, I just love this painting.

Over the past few weeks, with the assistance of staff and other elected members, I have made a series of presentations on the districting proposal currently under consideration by Council.

I believe consulting is half art and half science and a part of my job that I really enjoy.

The best part, in my opinion, is when an engaged audience asks excellent questions and the other audience members listen respectfully to both the question and the answer, just like in Rockwell's work.

This is what we have experienced so far at the town hall meetings across the district (odd name as none of these have been or will be held in a town hall meeting) and I look forward to the same thing happening at Cromwell Presbyterian Church on Monday evening at 7pm.

The redistricting debate is of great importance to the future of Central Otago and it is very important to me as Mayor that as many people as possible hear about it and understand what is at stake before your Council makes a decision on September 25.

If you were unable to attend any of the live meetings, there will be an online meeting on Tuesday, August 27th at 7:00 p.m.

Please share your views on One District: Central Otago | Let's Talk Central Otago by 31 August.

Otherwise, just contact me. I will be happy to explain everything to you and answer all your questions.

The decisive factor is the production date of Rockwell’s series, namely 1943.

He did not paint these pictures on a whim; they were a response to the threat to these four freedoms posed by the Axis powers in World War II.

Back then, threats to the four freedoms were obvious; today they are more subtle, such as misinformation and complacency. Just because they don't wear combat boots and guns doesn't make these 21st century threats any less dangerous.