Finished wall art delights

Steen Jones has officially left his mark on Queenstown.

The Australian street artist has  banished the bland brown wall at the entrance to Cow Lane over the past week, replacing it with  eye-catching, large-scale street art.

Jones (32), started putting his mark on the wall last Thursday and painted long after the sun set every night.

He put the finishing touches on it late on Wednesday and by the next morning it had already become one of the most photographed sights in Queenstown.

Jones was one of 19 artists who put forward concept designs for the wall last year as part of the Cow Lane Street Art Project, organised by Creative Cows’ Raylene McQueen and Sarah Dagg.

He told the Otago Daily Times he was "honoured" to have become the first person to paint a large-scale mural in the resort, which changed from his concept drawing.

Steen Jones’ mural in Cow Lane, Queenstown. Photos: Tracey Roxburgh
Steen Jones’ mural in Cow Lane, Queenstown. Photos: Tracey Roxburgh
"That monster wall didn’t look so monster in the photos.

"It’s changed quite a bit and that’s partly because when I got here my inspiration changed ...  I have the concept to get my head around it, but when the wall starts, it takes on a life of its own.

"I saw the alleyway and thought ‘It needs colour’ ...  so there’s lots of greens and blues."Jones said he was "stoked" at the reception from the community, particularly residents.

Steen Jones
Steen Jones
"The locals, to me, are the views that are most important because it’s here to stay; it’s part of the town now.

"I’ve been to Queenstown probably four or five times ...  I feel like it’s a special part of the world — I’ve worked in LA [Los Angeles], New York, London and I’ve never [experienced] the community vibe the way it is here; it’s so cool.

"I’m really grateful for the opportunity from the [Creative Cows] and, obviously, Queenstown."

Mrs Dagg said they were "beyond happy" with Jones’ piece.

"It’s honestly better than we could have imagined.

"His attention to detail, natural skill and professionalism ensured the installation went without a hitch.

"Seeing the first piece complete has given us even more motivation to get going on number two ...  the only thing holding us back at this stage is money."

Mrs Dagg said the entire cost of every installation had to be raised from scratch by the not-for-profit group.

tracey.roxburgh@odt.co.nz

 

Comments

Sorry, but I don't agree. I think it cheapens Queenstown.
Just my opinion.

 

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