Wet weather no match for mural with strong ‘wahine vibes’

Fifa Women’s World Cup mural artists (from left) Devon Smith, Gina Kiel, Kell Sunshine, Aroha...
Fifa Women’s World Cup mural artists (from left) Devon Smith, Gina Kiel, Kell Sunshine, Aroha Novak and Xoe Hall stand in front of their mural in the Octagon. Absent: Miriama Grace-Smith. PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIEN
Watching paint dry is supposed to be boring.

But for Fifa Women’s World Cup fans, it has been surprisingly entertaining watching the World Cup mural developing outside the Municipal Chambers in the Octagon over the past week.

Dream Girls Art Collective member Gina Kiel said rather than the mural being completed before the World Cup, it was designed to be one of many activities that could be watched and appreciated during the event.

"We started the mural during the fan festival so that there would be some interesting activity in the Octagon — of seeing muralists painting."

The cold and often wet weather during the week provided challenges for the six artists, including dealing with running paint.

"The weather has been wild and cold, but the vibes and people have been warm and welcoming."

She said the mural was inspired by the poem Intuit, by Iona Winter.

"The poem was suggested by Unesco City of Literature and resonated with the team, as it has a wonderful visually descriptive theme.

"Iona is a mana whenua poet and Ōtepoti is the city of literature, so it was awesome to be able to bring all these aspects together for this mural."

The mural aimed to give off strong "wāhine vibes", she said.

"All six of us female artists have created an artwork inspired by details in the poem, all linking together across the wall," Ms Kiel said.

The group was delighted with how the mural was turning out, and they hoped it would be completed today.

The mural would remain in place on the hoarding for a few years while maintenance work was being done on the Municipal Chambers building behind, Ms Kiel said.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

 

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