Painted pavilion prompts more optimistic attitudes towards graffiti artists

14 Sep 2022

A Resene-coloured graffiti project in Auckland’s Henderson is paving a way to promote graffiti artists in a positive way.

The Graffiti Pavilion Project is a collaborative partnership between Unitec staff and students, the placemaking and urban regeneration team from Panuku Development Auckland and local artists.

The Graffiti Pavilion Project made use of an Avondale site that was barely used for about 20 years. The scheme has moved to Henderson while this site is developed. Image by Bobby Hung.

Originally located in the heart of Avondale on a 7500 square metre site that had been empty since the 1990s, the Graffiti Pavilion Project moved to Henderson once development began.

Auckland graffiti artist Liam ‘Gasp’ Hindley used Resene Quarter Alabaster, Resene Pursuit, Resene Pale Oyster, Resene Malibu, Resene Triple Concrete and Resene Kingfisher Daisy to paint the version pictured.

Ultimately, the project was formed as a way to showcase local graffiti and street artists.

Set up 18 months ago, the structure is painted each month by a new artist.

Having so far featured 18 artists, another six are scheduled to paint the pavilion moving forward, which will now occur every two months.

The pavilion is repainted each month, the process of which is captured in real time video format and an interview with each artist to discuss their artistic journey.

The pavilion structure began as a commissioned project by Panuku Development for Postgraduate students from Unitec’s School of Architecture.

By originally introducing this pavilion in Avondale, it was important to understand how this structure would fit into the existing context of the space.

In consultation with graffiti advocate, Berst, it was determined that the pavilion should respond to the graffiti activity that had been occurring for well over a decade.

With permission from Panuku Development, graffiti artists also used a remaining 60-metre long x 2.2-metre high wall as their public canvas.

This legal wall operated as a hall of fame for artists and a central hub for creative activity and events for the local community.

In 2017, it was estimated that approximately $40,000 worth of self-funded resources was spent by graffiti artists each year to continually re-paint this wall. 

While the artworks have been temporary, each of the repainted pavilions each month have been documented in real time video format and paired with a 30-minute interview with each artist to discuss their background, journey, and unpack the creative process.

Two emerging artists have also assisted alongside the lead artist to offer insights into the working process.

The painting has not been a free-for-all like the wall space on the old site, but instead, has been curated by Berst to ensure there is strong representation of cultural diversity, gender, and quality of the output.  

The project evolved in consultation with graffiti advocate, Berst, after which it was established that the pavilion should channel the graffiti activity that has been taking place in Avondale for many years.

On completion of the project, Doctor Yusef Patel and Doctor Bobby Hung, intend to publish a series of journal articles that centre around the theme of public art, architecture, placemaking, and visual arts education.

Published: 14 Sep 2022