Artistic License
My favourite thing to have come out of the Christchurch Rebuild is the ever growing amount of colourful and quirky street art. Adorning the sides of buildings as well as hidden amongst the rubble and desertion, some world-renowned artists have left their mark amongst the city. Unfortunately many of them are on buildings earmarked for eventual demolition, and some will eventually become hidden once new buildings are erected next door, but I hope that as many as possible will remain in the city’s new blueprint. Currently running at the YMCA is the Spectrum Street Art Festival which celebrates this art form and is a showcase for some of these same artist’s work. A map can be obtained from the YMCA and an app is available to download which marks the locations of the current outdoor displays dotted around the CBD. I have become a particular fan of the work of Jacob ‘Yikes’ Ryan who is based in Christchurch and BMD who are based between Australia and New Zealand. Most of the outdoor exhibits are large and hard to miss, but in my wanderings I’ve spotted a few smaller hidden gems.

Giraffing Around, Tess Sheerin, 10 Liverpool St (now gone)

Mr 4 Square, Artist Unknown, between Hereford St and Worcester St (now gone)

Steeple People, Kay Rosen, Worcester St

No!, Tony Fomison, High Street and Manchester St

H.M. The Queen, William Nicholson, Christchurch Casino

Jacob Yikes, Manchester St


Hope, Paulie, YMCA Hereford St

Drapl, Hereford St YMCA

Love Mural, Artist Unknown, Byron St

Paris, Askew, Colombo St

Jacob Yikes, High St

Wongi and Ikarus, High St

Wongi and Ikarus, High St

Wongi and Ikarus, High St

Buff Monster, Durham St

Tilt, Peterborough St

Daek William, Peterborough St

Adnate, Kilmore St

Askew, Gloucester St

Jacob Yikes, Hereford St

Jacob Yikes, Tuam St

Jacob Yikes, Tuam St

Jacob Yikes, Tuam St

Jacob Yikes

Elephants, Owen Dippie, Manchester St

Wongi Wilson, Manchester St

Artist Unknown, Welles St

Welcome to Christchurch, Dcypher, Welles St

Artist Unknown, Southwark St

Sef, Southwark St

Jacob Yikes, between Cashel St and Lichfield St

Gary Silipa, Lichfield St

The Black Hat, George Henry, Cashel St (now gone)

We Got the Sunshine, Fluro and Oche, Madras St

Save the Penguins, BMD, Worcester St
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There are some awesome pieces !!
This one is super cool as well! I loved Christchurch! 🙂 Great post! 🙂
Wow! There are some great pieces here Fi. I haven’t seen any of the earthquake damage, but I can imagine that anything to introduce a bit of color and bring in a bit of levity is welcome. Excellent collection. Thx. ~James
Thanks. There so many new ones since I wrote that post nearly a year ago. I’m needing to head out with my camera and update the collection.
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