Kiwis Coach David Kidwell Appears on Lichfield Street

Kiwis Coach David Kidwell has arrived early in Christchurch for the New Zealand team’s upcoming match against Scotland – on the side of a Lichfield Street building.

A larger than life mural of Kidwell – who hails from Christchurch – has appeared at 128 Lichfield Street created by prominent contemporary Kiwi artist Graham Hoete, also known as Mr G. Graham rose to fame in New Zealand and the United States last year after painting a large mural of Steven Adams in Oklahoma City and an eight-metre mural of Prince after his death in his hometown of Chanhassen, Minnesota.

The artwork of Kidwell signals the arrival of Rugby League World Cup 2017 (RLWC2017) in Christchurch, with the New Zealand team playing Scotland at Christchurch Stadium on 4 November. A quarter final will also be hosted in the city on 18 November. It is the first time the Kiwis have played in Christchurch in 11 years.

ChristchurchNZ is the host city coordinator for Rugby League World Cup 2017 in Christchurch.

ChristchurchNZ General Manager of Attraction Linda Falwasser said it was fantastic to have an artist of Mr G’s calibre showcasing his craft in the central city and thanked the building owner Chris Conner for providing the ‘canvas’ for the project.

“We are extremely proud to be a host city for RLWC2017 – this portrait of David Kidwell, a former Hornby Panthers and Kiwi player, national coach and role model, represents culture, it tells a story and most of all represents an incredible journey of what’s possible. A true inspiration to our tamariki.”

“Mr G is an extremely sought after, world renowned artist. He is in the enviable position of being able to choose projects to undertake all over the globe and he wanted to come to Christchurch. He was keen from the outset to join the RLWC2017 party and to bring his extraordinary skills to our city, which now has a vibrant street art scene, she said”

Graham, who played rugby league as a nine-year-old, said the mural took about five days to complete.

“It’s been an honour and a privilege to paint David Kidwell and to meet him - I support who he is, what he does and what he represents.”

He said Christchurch is well known for its street art with a number of artists hailing from the city, adding this mural to the city’s collection as a legacy piece is a proud moment.

Kidwell, a 25-test cap Kiwi before becoming coach, said it’s really surreal to have a picture of me up on a wall. If you had told me that I would be the subject of a mural when I was growing up or even when I was playing, I would have never believed you.

“It adds to the excitement of bringing the Kiwis back to my hometown, Christchurch, for the first time in 11 years.”

RLWC2017 will see 14 teams play 28 games over five weeks, from 27 October until 2 December 2017, across New Zealand, Australia and Papua New Guinea.

ENDS

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