'Eyesore' lane set for makeover

BRIGHT: Artist's impression of finished mural currently being painted on the wall of a Hinemoa St lane, between Quest Hotel and Jay Car. SUPPLIED

An inner city wall is getting a new look this week with a bright new mural.

As part of Rotorua's Inner City Revitalisation and Creative Communities strategies, artist Jeremy Shirley has been commissioned by Rotorua Lakes Council to paint a mural on the wall of a lane between Quest Hotel and Jay Car electronics store on Hinemoa St.

Mr Shirley started work on site yesterday and, subject to weather conditions, is hoping to have the artwork completed by the end of next week.

As a contribution to the project, the building owner has paid for the wall to be cleaned up and a paint base applied by commercial painters, in preparation for the artwork to be undertaken.

Inner City Revitalisation Portfolio lead, councillor Karen Hunt, said it was another good example of a collaborative council/business partnership supporting an inner city project.

"This lane is often the subject of unwelcome tagging and can be a bit of an eyesore. So we're hoping that the new artwork will not only brighten up the area and bring another piece of art to the inner city, but will discourage graffiti as well."

Inner City Focus Group chairman and local retailer, Mike Steiner, said the central city area was starting to look increasingly bright and lively with colourful artworks adding new life and an extra dimension to the range of initiatives seen over recent months.

"Piece by piece we're reinventing our inner city as a vibrant and attractive place - a place that people can feel proud of and a destination they want to spend time in. This latest art work is fresh and vibrant and will help tidy up yet another part of our inner city."

Hamilton-based Mr Shirley, whose family live at Okere Falls, said his work would be a bold contemporary piece with clean lines.

"The symbols in the artwork are open to interpretation and are universal. This is a style I've used at the Te Awamutu Museum and on bus shelters in Hamilton, and I'll soon be creating a large similar-styled piece for the Auckland waterfront."

Mr Shirley's work was chosen following a nationwide call for expressions of interest to design and paint the mural on the wall.