Mural boosts underbridge

Xoe Hall’s latest mural in Plimmerton might have a summery theme, but painting it was a cold, wet labour of love for the artist.

The 17-metre beach-themed pop art mural was designed to brighten up an underbridge on Steyne Ave and discourage graffiti, but Ms Hall had to stand in freezing running water for five days in early June to paint it.

‘‘I wrapped up warm-as. I had, like, 10 layers of thermals and socks and gumboots,’’ she says. A hot bath and a glass of wine every night was never so welcome, Ms Hall says.

Halfway through the week Ms Hall discovered her iPhone had dropped from her pocket and had been underwater for four hours – luckily it still worked after being packed in rice.

All the discomfort was worth the opportunity to create a mural in her home village.

‘‘ I’ve wanted to do one in Plimmerton for years,’’ says Ms Hall. She has already brightened walls in Titahi Bay, Mungavin and Porirua Railway station, and has painted more than 30 murals throughout Wellington, but says she is not sick of the medium.

‘‘I love it, I’m just so lucky to be doing it as a job.’’

For the Plimmerton mural Ms Hall consulted extensively with the residents’ association to make sure the design was appropriate and embraced by the community. The result is a classy blue and white painting that reflects its environment but still stands out as a Xoe Hall design.

The mural shows Plimmerton’s hills, bird life and sea, and emphasises the neighbouring beach as a windsurfing hot spot.

‘‘They didn’t want any bold colours so I decided to go two-tone,’’ Ms Hall says. ‘‘I wanted it to have a real traditional look, with the two colours and the shading like old stamps.’’

The feedback has been positive, she says.

‘‘It just goes with the place. Murals always have to respect the community they’re in. Just knowing it was right for where it is is a good feeling.’’