Council candidate invites artists to 'pre-graffiti' election signs

Friday 16 September 2016, 11:00am

Nick Johnston, a Hamilton City Council candidate running in the city's East Ward, has invited five artists to 'pre-graffiti' his election signs.

"Many of the signs are likely to be damaged, tagged or stolen in the next few weeks anyway so my plan was to intervene beforehand in the most artistically awesome way possible!"

All of the artworks are hand-drawn with pens and paint applied directly to the corflute signs.

Nick has been heavily involved in Hamilton's arts sector over the past decade. He is currently the Strategic Advisor - Arts and Community to Hamilton City Council, where he has helped to facilitate a number of significant community-led public art projects in the city. He is also a trustee of Creative Waikato, the Hamilton Live Music Trust and he was one of the co-founders of Boon Hamilton Street Art Festival.

Three of the local artists that 'pre-graffitied' the election signs are:

Denise Fort - https://www.facebook.com/denisefortart/

Dawn Tuffery - https://www.facebook.com/Dawn-Tuffery-Art-and-Animation-216020895086059/

Paul Bradley - https://www.facebook.com/paulbradleyartist/

Other artistic interventions will be revealed over the next week through Nick's campaign Facebook page www.facebook.com/nickjohnstonforcouncil and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nbwjohnston/

"I am absolutely thrilled with the creative responses" says Nick. "By this point in the election cycle, most people are sick of seeing the elections signs. I think it is important to add a bit of fun and creativity to the election process".

Nick’s key policy platforms are:

• affordable housing

• a safe and balanced transport network

• a strong and distinctive central city

• thriving arts and culture

• inclusive and connected communities.

For more information on Nick’s campaign and policy platform, visit www.nickjohnston.co.nz

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