Whanganui's own Mike Marsh with his work at 142 Guyton St. Photo / Bevan Conley
Whanganui's own Mike Marsh with his work at 142 Guyton St. Photo / Bevan Conley
Mundane and monotone walls across Whanganui have been given a new lease on life, as some of New Zealand's most talented street artists begin working their magic across the city.
The Whanganui Walls street art and music festival is well under way, with new street art popping up acrossthe CBD, attracting the attention of pedestrians and road users alike.
Next to the ANZ carpark on Maria Place, street artist Flox is well into the process of crafting her contribution to the open-air gallery.
The Auckland based artist said she had been involved in street art for about 15 years and had noticed public perception had slowly shifted.
"The movement and the scene has changed so much in the way it's now so widely accepted. Spraypaint carried a lot of stigma, so artists in New Zealand have spent a good 10 to 15 years breaking down some of those barriers.
The work of street artist Milarky on Ridgway St in Whanganui. Photo / Bevan Conley
"It's basically public art. It's art for the people, and everyone seems to enjoy it."
Flox said Whanganui was an exciting place to be.
"I've never had the opportunity to be here, I've just passed through before. I was really looking forward to spending the week here and soaking it up."
On the street, multiple passersby had stopped to admire the work, with everyone the Chronicle spoke to saying they thought the work spruced up the city.
"Just look at it. It's really cool to watch it happen. A lot of work goes into it, clearly," one member of the public said.
"I've just pulled up to go into the bank, so it was a nice surprise to see this," another said.
Auckland-based artist Flox in front of her work on Maria Place. Photo / Bevan Conley
The festival is in its second year, after first being held in Whanganui in 2019, with the 2020 event shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Taking place across the entire weekend, the public are encouraged to journey around the CBD to take in the works of art, as well as join in festivities on Saturday night, where a free music event will be staged at Majestic Square.
Renowned Auckland band Pluto will headline the music side of the festival, with Raw Collective, Skilaa, DARTZ, Bad Hagrid, Damn Raucous Brass and Licks playing throughout the day and evening.
Festival organiser Si Ormerod said the weekend was stacking up to be a great one, with good weather and plenty of energy from residents and visitors alike set to make the event a success.
Whanganui's own Mike Marsh with his work at 142 Guyton St. Photo / Bevan Conley
"Everyone's super excited. The locals are really getting into it, it's great to see.
"The event [on Saturday] is set to be good. It's a hell of a line-up, and I've spoken to a bunch people who have come to town specifically for the event. The words out there, it's great."
The Whanganui Walls artists and locations are: Youth Art Wall - 25 Drews Ave. Milarky - 89 Ridgway St. Dan Mills - 70 Ridgway St. Swiftmantis - 88 St Hill St. Flox - 22 Maria Pl. Mica Still - 30 Maria Pl. Charles and Janine Williams - 110 Guyton St. Mike Marsh - 142 Guyton St
