Cartoon, 'Place a flower in a road cone'

This cartoon was drawn by Christchurch artist Henry Sunderland as a creative response to the first anniversary of the devastating Canterbury earthquake of 22 February 2011.

Flower power

Thousands of road cones guarded earthquake damage and hazards. Henry proposed that people decorate every road cone in the city with flowers. He posted this cartoon on Facebook where it immediately received attention both in New Zealand and overseas, with over 4000 people sharing the idea. On 22 February 2012, people decorated thousands of road cones with fresh flowers throughout Christchurch, and also overseas in Australia, London, Singapore and Mexico.

Henry recalls that it was a 'slightly guerrilla-rish' activity, with many people placing the flowers before dawn. For many, it was a way to express emotion and remembrance in the street, away from the formal commemorations. The flowers lasted as long as they could, or when cleaned up by the City Council.

Not long after, Henry altered the cartoon for Japan and Sendai for the anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami on 11 March 2012.

Award-winning

Henry received a civic award for his work at the Christchurch Earthquake Civic Awards held on 18 December 2012.