Street art earning global accolades

Street art is putting Ōtautahi Christchurch on the map as one of the world’s street art capitals, alongside New York, Barcelona, Berlin, London, San Francisco and Paris.

Christchurch’s inclusion as a Lonely Planet global street art capital eight years ago acknowledges the efforts post-earthquake to enhance the plain walls of Central City developments with art. Today, with around 40 huge murals in the heart of the city, visitors discover an artistic surprise around every corner.

It’s the tip of the iceberg with about 700 works across the city registered on the database of Watch this Space, a trust formed in 2017 to promote urban creativity. Much of the art references what matters to the city, including its heritage and pioneers, says Reuben Woods, the trust’s creative director. “Through art we have been able to reimagine and reclaim our city.”

ChristchurchNZ (CNZ) is acting as the glue in bringing together all those involved in street art to collaborate on new installations, a planned programme of activations and festivals and securing long term funding. It’s an initiative which makes sense, says CNZ Place and City Transformation Manager Mike Fisher. “What’s happening in the city with street art is a critical part of our city experience and our growing reputation as an amazing urban destination.” The team is receiving plaudits for its leadership, with Christchurch business leader Mike Percasky saying CNZ understands what’s needed to bring the buzz back to the city.

He is a big fan of street art due to its intergenerational appeal and accessibility to audiences of different demographics and cultures, both among the reasons for diversifying the city’s arts funding to include art in public places.

Percasky, who developed the visionary Riverside Market with his partners Richard Peebles and Kris Inglis, is proud of the giant 3-D mural on the market’s eastern wall which pays homage to the city’s history. Co-funded by Riverside Market and CNZ, it is now one of the city’s the most visible, photographed and talked about visitor attractions.

“Our city is a canvas” Ōtautahi’s street art strategy proposes an ambitious programme of events and festivals, a move that Nelson art collector George Shaw kick-started post-earthquake organising three street art festivals including RISE in 2013. Other festivals have followed including the Little Street Art Festival, now planned as an annual event, and Flare Ōtautahi Street Art Festival which returns next year.

Flare’s creative director Selina Faimalo, credits the city’s world class artists for Ōtautahi’s exceptional street art. “We are in such a fortunate position that the very best street artists live here. We need to keep them as their talent is in demand from other cities who, like us, recognise the value of street art,” she says.

Percasky is part of a group called Action Reaction Christchurch City (ARCC) which has another project in the pipeline to further boost Ōtautahi’s reputation as an arts destination. His uncle Max Percasky and George Shaw between them own about 30 works by Banksy, the world’s most famous and anonymous UK artist. ARCC is looking at setting up a street art gallery to showcase the Banksy collection the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. “It’s another thing that will encourage people to get on a plane to come experience and fall in love with our city,” Mike Percasky says.