It is hard to believe that three months have flown by since the 2025 Flare Ōtautahi Street Art Festival coloured our city’s walls with a flurry of activity and energy! A triumphant return for the mural festival, the 2025 iteration drew huge crowds, enthusiastic media coverage and, of course, a collection of impressive artworks that further cement Ōtautahi Christchurch as the urban art destination of Aotearoa. From colourful abstractions, striking portraits, and bold typography to sky-high surrealism, complex graffiti and poignant cultural narratives, Flare covered a range of bases stylistically and thematically. With more than 19 large-scale works and a series of activations, Flare 2025 was indicative of a city completely enamoured with turning our streets into canvasses and embracing possibility!
We thought that with the cold months now well and truly here, it would be an ideal time to bring some fire and warm some souls with a reminder of Flare’s goodness – so join us for a little stroll through memory lane with a visual recap of Flare Ōtautahi Street Art Festival 2025!
Dcypher’s Urban Abstract was a stop on a Watch This Space guided tour… As was Jessie Rawcliffe’s Ophelia, where the artist talked to the tour group.The tour also took in the massive work by Jacob Yikes, Aotearoa’s tallest mural.Haser’s Manawa Pou, Manawa Ora in progress.The master, Dr Berst in action….Drez’s St Asaph Street work is a stunning addition. Jen Heads’ window installation at The Drifter…Jessie Rawcliffe’s stuinning Ophelia, Colombo Street.YSEK’s studio Ghibli inspired work on Worcester Boulevard.YSEK’s work featured a collaboration with fellow FSA crew member Seven Eleven.Ling’s Elias, May and Kairau on the side of Child Sister.Fluro’s I Look To The Hills is an evocative landmark framed by the imposing Te Kaha.Haser, Fluro, Berst, Jessie Rawcliffe and Ling joined the 2025 Artist Panel.Everything kicked off with the FSA X DTR X BRS Production Wall on Colombo Street. Always insightful, Berst chatted with tour groups. Haser’s Manawa Pou, Manawa Ora completed.Nick Lowry completed two works for Flare, highlighting his prodigious output…Nick Lowry’s second wall, in progress…FOUL from the Flare Market Graffiti Wall…TWICE from the Flare Market Graffiti Wall…Miiekes, Klaudia Bartos, Hambone, Tom Kerr and Ekos on the Flare Market Tattoo Wall…Jessie Rawcliffe and Devos on the Flare Market Wall…Ling and Berst at the Flare Market Wall.Trystan Cutts and Kyla K and Xact’s collab at the Flare Market Wall.Pest5 for the TMD Crew Jam, Sydenham.
Photo credits: Centuri Chan, Reuben Woods
For specific locations – remember to check out our ever-growing map!
Watch This Space was proud to host the 2025 artist panel discussion for the Flare Ōtautahi Street Art Festival. Joined onstage by Haser, Fluro, Berst, Jessie Rawcliffe and Ling, the conversation ranged from cultural influences and connection to place, to graffiti’s lineage, the differences between Melbourne and Ōtautahi and when Ling will finally paint a portrait of Berst! Hosted at Dux Central, the event capped a massive week for the artists and organisers of the Flare Festival. Luckily, in case you missed it, we recorded the event and you can watch it below!
Thanks to Corban Tupou for hosting the live stream and Local Elements for working the sound! We are already looking forward to 2026!
