The Story Behind Alice's Chair

Have you seen Alice's Chair on the corner of Mapara Road and Acacia Bay Road? It's hard to miss this colourful mosaic masterpiece that’s become a real neighbourhood landmark.

At the corner of Mapara Road stands a special piece called Alices Chair, which represents L’Arté Cafe and Gallery. The Chair was created in the L’Arté Gallery workshop in 2012 by talented Clay Artist Judi Brennan, taking 3 months to complete. Judi provided measurements and a quick sketch to welder Mike Thompson, who worked his magic and crafted the frame in no time. Fortunately, the frame fit perfectly in the workshop with a few inches to spare from the ceiling.

Judi spent many nights in the workshop wiring netting around the frame and stuffing it with endless sheets of newspaper to get the shape she wanted. The chair needed to have curves but it also needed for the rain to wash off so it wouldn’t collect water. That was a challenge because Judi loves curves!

Once the frame was completely covered in netting and paper it was moved outside ready for the next step. Dressed up in her winter woollies Judi went to work mixing and plastering a thick layer of cement over the chair. It then needed to be left to dry before the mosaicing started. If it was raining a big sun umbrella would go up to keep the rain off and the work continued. With help from Kelly ( our gallery super star ) the plastering and mosaicing were completed.

And then the work on the lamp started.

Alices Chair was made in memory of Judi’s best friend Andi Price and was donated to the Acacia Bay Community. Andi was Arts Coordinator for the Taupo District Council and a well known Acacia Bay resident. The Taupo District Council kindly helped with the installation and material costs.

For the past 12 years, Alices Chair has captivated the hearts of locals and visitors alike, who have admired, sat on, and captured countless photographs with this stunning piece.