This work is strongly in influenced by the amazing velvet paintings of Edgar leeteg but mainly the New Zealand painter Charles McPhee, who’s paintings have become cultural icons. e paci c feeling represented within these works married pefectly with our vision to represent the cultural heritage of ponsonby & Grey Lynn.

One of these classic paintings,

‘La belle de Tahiti’ had also been used on the cover of NZ hip hop album ‘Break it to Pieces’ by Samoan rapper a feelstyle, produced by Submariner.

We loved this deeper level of cultural meaning and decided to re-interpreted this artwork.

We approached Rakai Karaitiana to see if he would re shoot this iconic image for us.

He agreed and we decided his daughter Haromi Karaitiana - with her parents both having grown up in the Grey Lynn / Ponsonby community and her Samoan / Maori / European heritage - was the perfect muse.

We love the idea of using a striking 5 meter high woman as the gure to embody all
of the themes within the work plus add
a element of empowerment.

Plus the use of a multicultural part Maori, part Polynesian, part European subject is crucial to representing the diverse cultural melting pot that is modern day Grey Lynn, Auckland & New Zealand.

Having all grown up in this place it was, from the outset, our intention to enrich this site, this place and hopefully provide visual enjoyment and even inspiration for years to come.

5.4m x 4.4m.
3 layered stencil with pattern details. Painted on 26th & 27th November, 2016.