Festival street artists enthral all ages

Cracked Ink, also known as Simon Ormerod, in front of his mural on the wall of Bay Sushi on Maunganui Rd. Photo / George Novak

The debut of a street art festival based in Mount Maunganui has left lasting images and inspiration for the Bay's younger generation, with members of the older generation also getting in on the action.

Street Prints Mauao brought 18 local and international artists to town to create incredible murals on walls of local businesses in downtown Mount Maunganui over the weekend.

Organiser Jah Smith said he was overwhelmed with the positive feedback from locals.

"We would have thought it would have been more people from our generation or younger to really get into the festival. But the older people have been showing up and checking out the artwork too. Older people with walking sticks have been coming in and grabbing maps and chatting about art, really adding to the buzz."

Mr Smith said the festival was forced to relocate the event on Saturday to its base on the corner of Maunganui Rd and Grove Ave because of rain.

"We had music going here with a lot of RnB hip-hop and we had a lot of older people walking through, they were coming in and dancing. That was crazy. It was good."

Mr Smith said the festival had also been a hit with members of the younger generation, especially aspiring young artists taken under the wing of street art's superstars.

Artists have come from as far as Berlin, the UK and Hawaii. The festival also includes New Zealand artists Askew, Sean Duffell, Christie Wright and Cracked Ink.

Mr Smith said they had organised helpers who were young volunteers - mostly troubled teens or youths with rough upbringing.

The result had become a sort of mentoring programme, where young artists spend the day with the guest artists as they worked.

"There's a kid that's here at 6.30am, before any of us show up. He's one of them. He's just so enthusiastic,' Mr Smith said. "Even if you influence just one, that's what it's all about."

The artists are tasked with creating larger-than-life murals on 15 walls. They can create what they like, so long as it incorporates the theme of land and sea.

"It's more than just murals on the wall. It's about community enjoyment and changing and supporting the youth of our community," he said.

"This is something that will stay on even after the artists leave. That's what we wanted. We didn't want them to come in and paint and for it to be all over with days later. We wanted the community to enjoy it after they leave. For those kids, it's going to do amazing things for them."

New York-based artist Sean Yoro, known as Hula, said he couldn't say 'no' when asked to come to the festival.

"I rarely take part in a festival like this but because I'm from Hawaii I've always wanted to come to New Zealand, it worked perfectly."

Hula was painting a striking image of a woman of the side of JB Lloyd Accountants.

He said he also enjoyed seeing the reactions his work evokes from passersby.

"It's always interesting to see. I feel everyone takes their own perspective. I love being able to hear what people actually feel from it."

The festival continues this week.

Street artist Graham Hoete, known as Mr G, with his contribution to the inaugural Street Prints Festival at Mount Maunganui. Photo / George Novak

Mr G's love for his father and the Bay there for all to see

One of the murals created at this year's Street Prints Mauao festival reflects a deeply personal message unique to the Bay.

Graham Hoete, known as Mr G, is one of 18 artists taking part in the street art festival.
Mr G is well known for painting portraits of dogs as well as murals.

He said he enjoyed being part of the festival and working alongside artists he considered rock stars of the industry.

"The thing I buzz out about is the calibre of these artists," Mr Hoete said.

At the rear of Event Cinemas on Bounty Lane Mr G has painted a close up image of his father, also Graham Hoete, with part of Motiti Island in the background.

"I love my dad," Mr G said.

Mr Hoete senior is depicted with a weathered face and tearful eyes.

"People, dogs, everything. It's all in the eyes," Mr G said. "The island's been through a lot with Rena, and my father's been right in amongst it all."

Although the artist is living in Australia, he said his heart lay with Motiti Island and the Bay.