Object: Postcards, ’Christchurch Sure to Rise’
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Title / object name  Postcards, ’Christchurch Sure to Rise’
Maker  Role  Date  
Lovell-Smith, Rebecca  designer  2011  
Screen Concepts  printing firm  2011  
Materials  cardboard, ink
Dimensions
Overall  137 (Height) x 105 (Width) mm
Classification  postcards
Technique  printing
Registration Number  GH017309
Credit Line
Gift of Liz Grant, 2011

This postcard features the most famous symbol of Christchurch - the Anglican Cathedral at the heart of Cathedral Square. In the Canterbury earthquakes of 22 February and 13 June 2011 the Cathedral lost its tower and famed stained glass Rose Window (hence the word 'munted' at the bottom of the image).

The designer of this image, Rebecca Lovell-Smith, is a Lyttelton resident who lost her historic home and business premises (God Save the Queen) in the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. But through her design work she has been able to adapt and survive. She has printed the 'Sure to Rise' image on teatowels, postcards and prints.

To many, the broken Cathedral is the key symbol of devastation. Whole images of the Cathedral express Christchurch's determination to restore and/or rebuild it and its city. Rebecca's image expresses this desire through appropriating the design of the famous Edmonds baking powder tin ('Sure to Rise') with the directive to be strong - 'Kia Kaha'.

'Kia Kaha' and 'munted' are words that have become powerful and familiar to Cantabrians as they negotiate the damaged landscape and city streets.

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