Read faces feline foe in Grey Lynn mural

The Lions’ tour promises some feisty competition on the field. But a showdown of sorts is already happening via a unique mural in Auckland.

Created by street artists Emily Gardner and Liam Hindley, who go by the tag names Adore and GASP respectively, the mural shows an angry All Black captain Kieran Read facing a huge lion.

The animal is not backing down, seemingly roaring angrily at Read.

Gardner, who was born in Canada but now lives here, said she was asked to create the mural for Pocket Bar & Kitchen in Grey Lynn, which will be showing some of the games.

The artwork appears on the side of their building.

Gardner, who has long had a passion for art and creativity, said that before doing the work, she did not know much about rugby or the All Blacks.

“I myself learned about rugby while I was doing the mural — firstly who Kieran Read was. Rugby isn’t much of a thing in Canada, but it’s always represented something very powerful to all New Zealanders.

“You channel a lot of your strength into these All Blacks. These big, burly men standing up to a lion is a powerful image.”

Gardner started painting about 9am one day, with the hope of finishing the piece that night.

But when it began to rain, she knew she could not stay out drawing all day in the rain, so asked her partner, GASP, to come and help.

“I painted the lion and he painted Kieran Read.”

They finished about 4pm and came back that night to add finishing touches.

She said she hoped people enjoyed the work — her first to include an All Black.

“People have been pretty stoked. I like really powerful images and that’s what it is.”