‘K Road’ by BMD, painted as part of All Fresco 2013

Also see More Auckland Street Art (2016)

Years ago I was leaving Sydney by train, there was so much tagging and graffiti on walls and wagons with so many angles, layers and colours it turned into one long amazing art work to me. From that experience I was primed to appreciate art on the street, the kind that brightens up backs of buildings and dull concrete walls.

Street artists like Owen Dippie (OD) are being commissioned for projects like ‘Larger Than Life’ – a series of murals on Tauranga’s walls. Supporters of the project hope it will attract tourists, it’s worked, Owen’s art has already drawn us to Tauranga and some of his work will feature in a later post – (OD leaves his mark in Mount Maunganui).

Art work by Owen Dippie, on Pitt Street – All Fresco 2014

Owen also took part in this years All Fresco Public Art Festival held in Auckland from 1 – 4 May. The festival is an initiative by the K* Road Business Association, in its second year, it has enabled around 20 murals and art works to add more character to this already gritty, alternative neighbourhood.

Painted by Xoe Hall, on Cross Street – All Fresco 2013

Part of the team at K Road Business Association is Ross Liew, an artist and former curator of Taupo’s Graffiato Street Art Festival. If you walk through the alleyways in Taupo that connect the shopping area you’ll come across plenty of vibrant murals. For now I’ll just take you to Auckland …….

‘Urban Fossil’ by ENO, on Hereford Street – All Fresco 2013

‘Hina’ by Jonny 4Higher, on the back of West Terrace Lodge, cnr K Road & West Terrace – All Fresco 2013

John Lennon by Paul Walsh, on the Rockshop, 100 K Road

‘Our Hood’ collaborative work, corner Ponsonby Rd & Williamson Ave

A new hood on the way

Charles Williams aka Phat 1’s work, on Poynton Terrace – All Fresco 2014

‘Marilyn’ by Gasp, in Beresford Square

On the steps behind St Kevin’s Arcade on K Road

More art on the steps

A small piece of the art work by Misery & Tom Tom, on Poynton Terrace – All Fresco 2014

Mural by Ian Robinson, on Nelson Street

Silos in Wynyard Quarter – painted by Askew One, poems by CK Stead

One of my favourites, has since been painted over, it’s gone but I’m still smiling – ‘The Laughing Buddha’ by Jonny4Higher

A few NZ street art links
Dunedin Street Art 
Graffiato, Taupo
Oi You!
Watch This Space, Christchurch Street Art

*For those not familiar with Auckland, K Road is short for Karangahape Road, you’ll find it at the top of Queen Street.