History recreated in 3D mural on back of Christchurch market building

Christchurch’s historic buildings and the women’s suffrage movement are being honoured in a new 3D mural behind Riverside Market.

The mural includes realistic depictions of the city's old buildings, including High St’s Empire Hotel, 1800s surveying business Edward Jollie & Co and J D Clarke Optician.

It also gives recognition to Christchurch women’s suffrage advocate Kate Sheppard and includes the words “vote yes on women suffrage.”

The DTR Crew, made up of Christchurch artists Jacob Yikes, Wongi “Freak” Wilson, Nick “Ikarus” Tam and Guy “Dcypher” Ellis, competed the artwork. It was designed by Josh Thompson.

Production company Oi YOU! managed the project, which was jointly funded by the Riverside Market and the city council’s tourism, marketing and economic development arm, Christchurch NZ.

Christchurch NZ acting general manager of marketing brand and communication Sam Taylor said it contributed $35,000 towards the cost of the mural, about a third of the total project cost.

Said Oi YOU! director George Shaw: “What we decided to do as a group with Christchurch NZ was to reflect in there old Christchurch buildings and Christchurch history. People like Kate Sheppard and the whole movement of women’s rights gets a good shout out on the wall.”

The mural took about five weeks to complete and Shaw said the artists worked about 10 hours a day, six days a week to complete it.

It was created using Resene bucket paint, and spray paint to complete the intricate details.

The artwork was painted on a flat wall, but appears 3D to the naked eye, much to the surprise of people who have viewed it so far.

“The number of people who come up to the wall saying their brain won’t allow them to believe that the wall’s actually flat. Even though you know it’s flat, your brain still won’t let you believe that it’s flat,”  Shaw said.