Painting The Walls With Inspiration
Christchurch is a city enriched in culture with a street art scene that will leave you in awe. A stroll through the inner city reveals colourful artworks from a range of inspiring artists. Be sure to keep track of the ever-evolving murals in the city with Watch This Space.
Te Pae Christchurch Convention – Spotlight – Urban Art Projections
A stunning collaboration between Watch This Space and ChristchurchNZ, provides a fresh approach to urban creativity for talented local artists! The project, called Spotlight, focuses on connecting visual artists with digital creatives to explore the potential of projection works, which are showcased on the exterior of Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre. The project routinely showcases different artists and new work, how good!
Hereford Street – Wāhine Toa
A powerful and impressive mural next to Shands Lane Hereford Street, that pays tribute to a group of pioneering wāhine toa sits proudly in the middle of Ōtautahi. This mural was funded by ‘The Hine te Hiringa – Empower Women Utilising FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Fund' and produced by two talented artists – Ōtautahi's Kophie Sua-Hulsbosch and Janine Williams from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. This meaningful addition to our city was supported by various organisations, including Watch This Space, ChristchurchNZ, the Christchurch Foundation, and more.
Colombo Street – Dcypher Goes Cosmic
A stunning new cosmic mural by Dcypher can be seen on Colombo Street. The mural showcases the artist's exceptional work ethic and technical skill in the science fiction and fantasy genre. The mural is adorned with an array of intricate details, glowing stars, flowing hair and gorgeous swirls, it's not one to miss!
Riverside Mural - DTR Crew (Dcypher, Wongi Wilson, Ikarus & Jacob Yikes)
Completed as a partnership between Riverside Ltd, ChristchurchNZ, Oi YOU! and Madeknown, this wall tells a story of central city heritage and the global women’s suffrage movement, which started in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Check out the Riverside 3D Mural.
YMCA Building – Kaitiaki
Irish artist Fin DAC’s mural Kaitiaki (the Māori word for 'guardian') showcases elements of Māori culture and mythology and is a symbol of protection for the city. Fin DAC is well known for his images depicting beautiful women, with eye masks, gorgeous clothes and elegant makeup. His style called ‘Urban Aesthetics’, combines modern urban stencil art and the traditional art of portrait. Check out the artwork Kaitiaki - Fin DAC.
Lichfield Street - Organic Matters
Wellington-based artist Chimp's artwork of tui and titipounamu (rifleman) surrounded by flowers and bees highlights the important activities going on within the Justice Precinct buildings while relating back to the natural New Zealand subject matter. Check out the artwork Organic Matters - Chimp
Tuam Street - Alice in Wonderland
On the building of Alice Cinematheque, you’ll find a mural inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Christchurch based artist Jacob Yikes is well known for his murals throughout the city and New Zealand often highlighting bizarre compositions, strange figures and symbolism. Check out the artwork Alice in Wonderland - Jacob Yikes.
Lichfield Street - David Kidwell
To celebrate the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and Christchurch's role as a host city Mr.G created a mural dedicated to New Zealand's Rugby League World Cup Head Coach, David Kidwell. Check out the artwork David Kidwell - Mr. G.
Rauora Park - Spray Cans
The space contains eight giant spray cans with graffiti sprayed over them. The eight cans are physically split in two groups, with three cans intended for long-term works that will be refreshed sporadically, and five serving as ‘free-for-all’ surfaces, as evolving canvasses. Jacob Yikes, Wongi Wilson, Nick Tam, from Christchurch’s famed DTR crew, painted the three ‘permanent’ cans. Check out the artwork Giant Spray Cans.
Innovation Precinct - Kathmandu
Wongi "Freak" Wilson, a Christchurch born street artist who’s been a great advocate for eliminating the negative stigma associated with graffiti art. Wongi Wilson is well known in post-quake Christchurch for his murals with his art forming a big part of the city's new creative identity. View his Nepal and Kathmandu related mural next to the Kathmandu headquarters in the Innovation Precinct. Check out the artwork Freak - Wongi.
Ibis Hotel - Rise from the Rubble
The design by local artist Brandon Warrell was one of three the public were asked to vote on as part of a Council initiative to create a new mural on the wall of the Ibis Hotel in Hereford Street. The mural is inspired by New Zealand natives: a Kowhai tree and a wax-eye bird showcasing the beauty of NZ’s flora and fauna. Rise from the Rubble - Brandon Warrell.
Allen Street - Erika Pearce
This mural features Harlem-Cruz Atarangi Ihaia, from Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Porou, who is the reigning Miss Universe New Zealand. Artist Erika Pearce painted her wearing a traditional moko and a crown of Kawakawa leaves to represent the sadness of the loss of the extinct huia bird. Check out the artwork Mural - Erika Pearce.
