Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

A Pop Of Colour In The Central City: New Mural Completed By Christchurch Youth And Flox

Just before Christmas ten young artists had the opportunity to work alongside renowned New Zealand artist Hayley King (Flox) to design and paint a large-scale mural in Christchurch’s central city.

The group of young people were selected from schools throughout Christchurch to participate in the programme which was run by the YMCA Christchurch.

King flew down to facilitate the programme and oversee the painting of the mural she designed.

“What a privilige it has been to be down here working with these kids and really seeing something positive and creative for the city of Christchurch.”

The group spent two days under Flox’s artistic wing in a hands-on workshop where they learnt how to design large scale murals and a range of spray painting techniques. They then took their skills outside to work on the mural.

“The programme saw the kids going through the drawing phase right through to painting and execution.”

YMCA CEO Josie Ogden-Schroeder says it was important to the organization that the programme included young people in the whole process.

“We wanted to beautify our hoardings but we also knew this was an opportunity to do something a bit different. Being able to facilitate the upskilling of young artists alongside Hayley and then have them paint our mural has been amazing.”

The YMCA Christchurch has a legacy of supporting young people in the arts and runs a variety of programmes and services that celebrate the creative and performing arts for communities in Christchurch.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“This is a huge part of what we do – encouraging and celebrating the creativity of our young people.”

Facing the Botanic Gardens along Rolleston Ave, the completed mural is a welcome pop of colour. It spans the length of the YMCA’s building site hoarding, about 40 metres.

The mural will remain in place for the duration of the build which is set to be completed in mid-2023. At this stage the mural will then be carefully dismantled and given a new home.

The programme was partially funded by the Christchurch City Council’s Enliven Spaces Fund which aims to bring more art to the public through the activation of vacant or transtional spaces. By tapping into this fund the YMCA Christchurch were able to bring their idea to life.

Street art in the city became especially prominent after the 2011 earthquakes when the demolition of many earthquake damaged buildings left Christchurch with a mass of empty spaces and blank walls. Since then, street art has become a vital part of Christchurch’s identity, even winning the city a ranking as one of the street art capitals of the world in Lonely Planet’s 2017 book, alongside cities such as New York, Barcelona and Berlin.

These young people are now preparing to step into the shoes of the artists before them and continue Ōtautahi’s street art legacy.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.