Mural brings a splash of colour
Canary yellow feathers and a branch of ko¯ whai flower buds will brighten a drab central Christchurch wall.
The side of Hereford St’s Ibis Hotel, next to the former ANZ site which once held the United Services Hotel – previously the last unaccounted for vacant space in Christchurch’s Cathedral Square – has been given a facelift by 25-yearold street artist Brandon Warrell.
Warrell’s colourful design, featuring a silver eye bird, emerged as the public’s preferred choice after a vote on the Christchurch City Council’s Facebook page last month.
Working in the prominent central city location, and on a large scale, was thrilling and nerve-wracking, Warrell said.
‘‘It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and a real honour to have such overwhelming public support for my design – I really didn’t expect it.’’
He was inspired to incorporate New Zealand flora and fauna in the art to depict a bright and flourishing future for Christchurch, with the silver eye and ko¯ whai almost emerging from the rubble.
‘‘These are just my personal favourite bird and flower,’’ he said.
Council head of urban design, regeneration and heritage Carolyn Ingles said it would be great to see the concept design, dubbed Rise from Rubble, ‘‘brought to life and another colourful and striking piece of street art added to the central city’’.
‘‘Christchurch has been ranked alongside New York, Barcelona, Berlin and London as one of the street art capitals of the world and street art has become a key part of the energy of our rejuvenating city.
‘‘It’s been wonderful to see people getting involved in this latest project and having an influence on the design,’’ Ingles said.