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
MistyNites 
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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