Dionne Christian
Street art is becoming a huge trend around the globe — and an evergrowing number of New Zealand artists are making their presence felt on walls, buildings and other installations both here and internationally. takes a look
Graham Hoete — aka Mr G
Tauranga-based Graham Hoete — aka Mr G — made international headlines last year with his giant murals of NBA basketballer Steven Adams (painted in Oklahoma City) and Prince in the musician’s hometown, Chanhassen, Minnesota.
As well as worldwide attention, that earned him a nomination at this year’s Matariki Awards in the Te Waipuna-a-Rangi (arts and entertainment) section, alongside Taika Waititi and Tangiwai Margaret Ria.
The 38-year-old is a former representative NZ volleyball player, and counts spear fishing and diving as his favourite pursuits alongside painting.
“I’m just really thankful for this encouragement and affirmation,” he said of the nomination.
After several years in Sydney, Mr G returned home last year and wasted no time getting busy with local commissions.
They’ve included painting a cliffside mural of a well-respected Ngati Raukawa ancestor on private farmland near Te Awamutu. The site can’t be seen from the road.
Then there’s been the giant mural on a Mount Maunganui water tank, unveiled this month with a haka performed by hundreds of people. That work shows Mr G’s support for members of the Tauranga-based iwi Ngai Te Rangi.
He’s also working on a commission from rural supplies chain Farmlands to paint murals on 15 of its stores. Each one will be inspired by stories from locals about what makes their town, and the surrounding area, unique. It could well prove useful, too, for gathering ideas for its biggest project to date: 100 Portraits featuring everyday Kiwis throughout rural New Zealand.
“I don’t fit into that ‘street art’ urban box but, for me, as a Kiwi, it’s just a beautiful blend of mixing the street art aesthetic with New Zealand’s natural beauty,” he said.
“This whole thing with murals ... it’s an adventure — I just love it.”
Charles and Janine Williams — Painting the Pacific
Pioneers of street art in New Zealand, Charles and Janine Williams have spent 20 years working nationally and internationally creating murals which tell stories connected to the land (whenua) and people (tangata whenua).
In Auckland, they’re best known for the putangitangi ducks mural in Kingsland but, at home in South Auckland, their paintings adorn local schools, cafes, shops — even the wall of a Manukau laundromat — and churches.
Now, they’re working on their most ambitious project to date: painting a mural in each of the 27 nations represented at last year’s Festival of Pacific Arts in Guam. So far, they’re three down — Guam, Tahiti and Rarotonga.
“Coming from South Auckland, we’re used to being part of this big diverse community but when we went to Guam and saw each culture separated out, it was neat and got us thinking about representing each one,” said Janine.
She said the pair had given them-