Art illusion enlivens Rotorua

CHALK CREATION: Local artists (clockwise, from bottom left) Jacob Chrisohoou, Stephen Arthur, Kristin Joyce, Mahora Massey and Waiariki creative arts tutor Cherie Sayer have been working to transform the CBD with 3D chalk artwork. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER 230114SP9

Rotorua's CBD has been transformed with the addition of a 3D masterpiece.

A team of Waiariki Institute of Technology students and local artists created a 3D illusion with chalk on the pavement at the City Focus yesterday.

Waiariki creative arts tutor Cherie Sayer, with artists and students Kristin Joyce, Mahora Massey, Stephen Arthur and Jacob Chrisohoou worked for more than 10 hours to complete the temporary artwork, which will wash away over time.

Ms Sayer said the project was a chance for the team of artists to unleash their creative talents.

"It's a great way for them to show off their skills and to get ideas out of their heads and on to paper, well pavement," she said.

She said artists had to use a special technique to make the image appear like it was 3D, which she said was not easy.

"It's quite difficult, you have to have a good understanding of linear perspective.

"It also requires problem solving skills. A lot of people don't actually realise that creative art involves a lot of creative thinking and problem solving," she said.

The artwork was also an opportunity to attract more people to the City Focus, Ms Sayer said. She was thrilled to see so many people stop and take an interest in their creation.

"It's pleasing to see. By about 9am we already had crowds forming and lots of people stoping and asking what we were doing."

One passerby, Rangi Te-Whata, said she thought the artwork was impressive.

"It's colourful and vibrant and really brightens the area up. It doesn't make it so dull.

"It would be nice to see something like this here permanently," she said.

The chalk image was designed by the group of artists and depicts a bridge hanging over a cliff. Ms Sayer said she hoped the artwork would encourage people to try their hand at creative arts or enrol in one of the many creative courses Waiariki had to offer.

For more information about these courses visit the website http://wit.squiz.co.nz/home.