Live Graffiti Art Battles in Central Christchurch

09 Jan 2014

The first event of its kind in Christchurch, eight up-and-coming local artists are being given the opportunity to compete in a one-on-one graffiti art battle for Art Beat. The competition, ‘Style Walls’, taking place in central Christchurch every Saturday, is an opportunity for the public to experience the process of graffiti art production.

Each graffiti artist is given five cans of spray paint and three hours to produce their best work on a panel, for the chance to proceed to the next round of the competition.

Christchurch graffiti artists Wongi ‘Freak’ Wilson and Nick ‘Ikarus’ Tam from DTR Crew are the judges of ‘Style Walls’ and use a scoring system based on four criteria: style; can control; use of space and use of colour.

One ‘Style Walls’ battle is taking place every Saturday until the final on 15 February 2014 from 12noon – 3pm on the corner of High and Hereford Streets. The competition is culminating in an exhibition opening at the end of February.

Art Beat Project Coordinator, Warren Feeney says, “The idea for ‘Style Walls’ as a way to encourage and nurture young, emerging local street artists could not be better placed than in Christchurch’s inner city right now – a “must-see” for residents and visitors to Christchurch from January through to March.”

Art Beat is a three month programme of free local live music, street art exhibitions, installations, performances and a night market in Re:START, Cashel Mall. Now in its second year, Art Beat is taking place from 22 November 2013 – 23 February 2014 and will feature work by Christchurch-based musicians and artists.

Art Beat is a collaborative venture between Re:START and Arts Voice Christchurch with support from Creative New Zealand, Christchurch City Council and Canterbury Community Trust.

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