Thoughtful reflections on the ever evolving street art, murals and graffiti scene in Christchurch, New Zealand
Street Treats, Vol. 7
For the latest installment of Street Treats, we are serving up a selection of pieces, pastes, pixels, petals and beyond. From a reminder of an old pal’s legacy, to epic collaborations and tiny treats, the streets have provided a range of goodies. That is, of course, the joy of the urban environment as a setting for creative (and naughty) interventions, there is no curation. The result echoes the physical presence of our cities, where thousands, indeed millions of people interweave as they go about their own concerns, trials and aspirations. Any city is a collection of individual voices and the art of the streets reflects this diversity, each piece the compulsive expression of an individual that can be read in infinite ways by the passing audience. In a world where online communication has become increasingly toxic and antagonistic, the art in the streets provides something different, still capable of asserting beliefs and ideologies, but devoid of the escalating tensions or echo chambers of comment sections. Indeed, as one image attests, often the response to uninvited additions is not so much beautification as silencing, ensuring a monochromatic environment. So enjoy this platter of pictures and relax, our cities and our communities are not monolithic, and the streets provide the platform for that multiplicity…
The necessities are vital…
Wisdom is often silent. And old friends are found again – Carrot Boy in North Beach
Bloom’s ceramic works provide small surprises across the city…
Especially in contrast to some larger works
Ghostcat’s street pizza is a tasty treat
9 Iron shows the Hereford Street spot is still alive, for now
Big is good
Oxy goes psychedelic
OCKSY’s on call
PKAY shows small, in the right place, can be effective…
Anyone else a sucker for a beautiful doorway?
Drama above and an impressive collab below with a raft of names…
A Levi Hawken piece goes incognito
Beautification?
Cape of Storms’ newest works are vibrant reflections of nostalgic Kiwiana through the lens of new eyes…
Vez and friends Diva Dog and Fuzzy Logic
Who needs a billboard?
Major Tom? We need you…
Cropping is everything… Cape of Storms, Vez, Lost Boy and more…
Lost Boy goes off planet
Mark Catley celebrated another May the 4th with some iconic Star Wars toys Bossk and Greedo (Han shot first?).
and a lesser known Power Droid (yes I had to look that up)
A trip to Auckland provided some stencilled goodies… From social commentary…
to pop culture riffs
and Component’s stunning balancing act.
This throw back from Askew
was set against more fresh work…
And a reminder of the city as a site for exploration…
Reuben is an art historian, writer and curator. His PhD thesis explored graffiti and street art within post-earthquake Christchurch. He also serves as creative director and lead tour guide for Watch This Space.
View all posts by Reuben Woods
