Banana Bridge I OriGiNal by Li

Ōpaoa River, TeWaipounamu, Aotearoa NZ

Perfect For:  Collectors and interior designers seeking artworks that evoke tranquillity, heritage, and connection to place. ‘Banana Bridge’ suits both modern minimalist and nature-inspired interiors — bringing a sense of grounded serenity and luminous depth to any space.

About the Artwork:  Spanning the Ōpaoa River at the entrance to Waiharakeke (Blenheim, NZ), Banana Bridge is a landmark of light, memory, and guardianship. Once the main crossing into town, this bridge now serves pedestrians and cyclist who wander its gentle curve, framed by the mountains of Te Waipounamu (South Island NZ). Its nickname comes from the distinctive arches that resemble bent bananas. At its northern entrance is a carved ‘pou’  carved with Māori figures standing as protectors of the land and river, guiding all who cross between the realms of stillness and flow.

From the Artist:  Many mornings, I find myself here — camera in hand, heart open to the day’s first light. From this bridge, I watch the sun’s rise, the cycle of light and shadow in perfect harmony. For me, this place is both a threshold and a teacher. As the Ōpaoa whispers below and the maunga beckon beyond, I feel the pulse of Aotearoa — reminding me that every journey begins with crossing a bridge between what was, and what will be.