Graffiti by Design

CAPA, in conjunction with Citycare, The Graffiti Programme and local artists, have been busy brightening up the park.

If you’ve been down to the Canterbury Agricultural Park recently, you will have noticed that the tired-looking power boxes that are dotted around the park have been transformed into stunning works of art in an effort to ‘Brighten up the Park’.

The Canterbury A&P Association, in conjunction with Citycare, has been working with The Graffiti Programme to tidy up any unsightly pieces of equipment in the grounds. The Graffiti Programme are a group dedicated to ridding Christchurch of unsightly tagging and offers Christchurch residents the chance to be involved with the reporting and removal of graffiti from public spaces.

The brief was, well, brief! Artists were required to submit a colour drawing accompanied by an explanation of their design to the CCC Graffiti Programme, who then liaised with General Manager Tracy Ahern for final approval of the works. The main stipulation was that all visible surfaces need to be covered. Artists were given full responsibility for their work, including travel to and from the grounds. They all received assistance of up to $150 to buy materials and received $400 for their efforts on completion.

Numerous studies have shown that covering graffiti-prone surfaces with the work of talented artists is an excellent deterrent to taggers, as artistic talent is respected across the board. This initiative is a win-win for both the Agricultural Park and the artists themselves, whose works will be seen by over 100,000 people over the three days of The Show.