Overview
A collection of collages from The Evergreen Coffee House in Wellington are a tribute to their creator, well-known Wellington transgender queen and cafe owner Chrissy Witoko. The collages provide a snapshot of the city's colourful and mixed communities between about 1960 - 2000.
A unique collection
In 2012 Te Papa acquired a large collection of panels, made as collages, which were originally displayed in The Evergreen Coffee House in Vivian Street, Wellington. Their creator was Chrissy Witoko, the café’s proprietor for about 20 years. Along with the panels Te Papa collected some of Chrissy’s personal items including two of her favorite dresses, some jewellery, and a tiara reserved for glamorous events like her 50th birthday party.
The collages
The collages feature Chrissy’s friends, family, and acquaintances. Sometimes a key event provided a theme for a collage – like the 1998 Awhina World Aids Day variety concert, Hero parade and party, or the Devotion dance party. Some collages are a mix of photographs from a particular time period. Some include magazine and newspaper clippings. Others feature business cards from the cafe's wide range of customers.
The earliest panel includes pictures taken in the late 1960s and 70s. The last panel she never finished, was 'a work in progress' when she died, in 2002. The panels were hung in the Evergreen Coffee House, which Chrissy owned and ran between 1984 and about 1998. Together they provide a unique snapshot of a mixed and colourful Wellington community.
Chrissy’s empire
Chrissy arrived in Wellington as a teenager in the late 1950s and worked in many clubs and cafes including the Mexicali and the Sorrento. She managed the famed Sunset and the Nutcracker, then in 1984 she became owner of the Evergreen Coffee Lounge at 144 Vivian Street. Prior to this the site was 'Carmen's Coffee Lounge' - owned by Carmen Rupe.
The Evergreen was a magnet for Wellington’s transgender community. It was also a home away from home for many gay, lesbian, bisexual and intersex people. Gay-friendly hang-outs were an important part of the gay liberation movement, especially in the 1970s and 80s. They were a place where like-minded people could meet, discuss the issues of the time, and plan protest marches or special events. Between 1986 - 1989 the Evergreen was an official Gay and Lesbian Community Drop-In centre, run by volunteers who offered support and counselling along with coffee and cake. After 11pm it became a drop-in centre for sex workers - a place where they could get help and support.
The Royal Oak Hotel, Carmen’s Coffee Lounge, the Cave, the Sunset, and the Sorrento were other well-known informal gay hang-outs, while the Dorian Society and Victoria Club were formal organised clubs for gay men.
Chrissy was involved in organising many LGBTQI+ events, and received several awards, including ‘Glammies’ awards for outstanding community service and an ‘Alfies’ award for personality of the year.
The Evergreen’s doors were always open to everyone whether they were gay, straight, a politician, a clergyman, a prostitute, or someone in drag. It was famous for its late night toasted sandwiches and Chrissy's warmth, dry wit, and remarkable ability to bring together people from very different backgrounds.
Te Papa works in collaboration with LGBTQI+ communities and individuals to discover the histories represented in the panels. If you have any information you would like to share in relation to the panels please contact a history curator at Te Papa on +64 (0)4 381 7000.