Painting the town

Auckland street artist Erika Pearce makes a start on one of eight murals being painted in Riverton this week. Pearce is one of eight New Zealand artists painting murals in the town for the South Sea Spray Riverton permanent exhibition.

Southland artist Danny "Deow" Owen said murals were slowly becoming more popular in cities throughout the country, but creating eight "massive" murals in the space of a few days was "spreading the vibrancy" in one hit.

While each artist had "their own narrative to what they create," the murals would complement the town's seaside vibe, he said.

Owen, who chose to start in Riverton because of his own connections to the area, said that South Sea Spray was set to reach
all corners of the region.

"We're looking at doing Invercargill and Bluff in the next couple of years ... This is the start of something big."

An open day will be held tomorrow for the public to watch the artists collaborating on a single mural.