Art comes to life in CBD

Graffiato brings visions of 13 artists to downtown walls

Visitors to Taupō’s CBD over the long weekend have been treated to a visual spectacle with Graffiato returning for its 12th year.

The popular festival lets the public catch a glimpse of artists from across the North Island doing what they do best.

The sites across the town give locals and tourists alike cause to explore the CBD’s many lanes. The 13 artists involved this year drew from a variety of inspirations to inject colour into their spaces.

Elliot Francis Stewart’s piece on the back wall of Farmers, behind Dixie Brown’s, will evoke for many the serenity of a day spent fly fishing, artfully depicted in a yellow and blue colour palette.

It shares the alley with two other new works: Xoë Hall’s vivid hei-tiki inspired piece, and Claudine Malei’s pastel tribute to Japanese anime movie favourite, Kiki’s Delivery Service.

Artwork from the festival will even be visible on the lake this summer, with Taranaki-based artist Dside giving the yacht Fearless a new look. Day trippers will be able to dive off the boat to check out the detailed piratical mural covering the boat’s hull in its full glory.

Organisers Towncentre Taupō have created a digital map, available on its website, so locals can take a look at the results.

Another 10 works of art were added to the streets of Taupō over Labour Weekend in the latest iteration of the Graffiato: Taupō Street Art Festival. Here’s a sample of the works in progress and finished.

Photo / Dan Hutchinson Elliot Francis Stewart paints his mural of an angler in an alleyway behind Farmers, between Tuwharetoa and Robert St.

Photo / Dan Hutchinson Artist DSIDE works his way around the hull of the yacht Fearless at the Taupō Marina, creating fun, watery scenes at Graffiato: Taupō Street Art Festival on Labour Weekend.

Photo / Dan Hutchinson The port side of the yacht Fearless at the Taupō Marina is complete while artist DSIDE moves to starboard.

Photo / Dan Hutchinson Claudine Mailei hard at work on her picture in a prime part of the alleyway connecting Roberts St and Tuwharetoa St.

Photo / Dan Hutchinson Tane Lawless' pavement art at the Titiraupenga and Te Heu Heu St intersection.

Photo / Milly Fullick Ross Liew and Margarita Vovna create a mural on Runanga St.

Photo / Dan Hutchinson Phil Somerville makes a statement on a Gascoigne St wall.

Photo / Dan Hutchinson Chris Amosa's art near the Great Lake Centre.