Media Release
12 March 2007

From the Bronx, New York City to Otara, Manukau

One of New York’s original graffiti artists Eric Orr is coming to Otara later this month as part of the Auckland Festival, AK07.

He will be collaborating with five art students from a local secondary school and the Manukau Institute of Technology to paint the performance stage that first featured in Manukau City Council’s Cultural Performance Garden at the Ellerslie International Flower Show last November - now been permanently located at Fergusson Oaks Reserve in Otara.

Orr, who is famous for his collaboration with graffiti/pop artist Keith Haring on a series of New York subway station drawings in the mid 1980s, arrived in New Zealand earlier this month and says that the painting of the stage is an opportunity for local artists to use their creativity in a positive way.

“’Graffiti art’ is the most recognised art form in the world. The Auckland Festival, AK07 committee recognised my contribution to this movement and thought it would be important for me to tell my story to New Zealand artists interested in this form of creative expression,” he says. “Hopefully by collaborating with local artists, I'll learn something positive from them and they learn something positive from my experiences.”

Manukau City Council’s Director Community Ian Maxwell says that the council is lucky to have someone of Orr’s calibre coordinating the painting of the performance stage, which is a first for Manukau Parks.

“Relocating the performance stage to Fergusson Oaks has been the result of strong support from the local community, and to have Eric Orr all the way from New York to help turn the stage into a work of art is fantastic for Otara and for Manukau.

“Tagging is a huge problem in Manukau and we hope that having Eric Orr and local artists using graffiti art in a positive way will help ensure that this fantastic performance space doesn’t end up covered in tagging within a few days.”

The performance stage will be painted over three days and will include discussions about Orr’s work. Painting will finish with a multimedia event featuring local performers Cydel, Crossbreed, Jeremiah, Pesaro, Emaqulis, and Numbers. Everyone is welcome to come along and watch the transformation and hear what Eric has to say about his art:

- Live painting and workshops: 10am - 4pm daily, Thursday 22 - Saturday 24 March

- Opening celebration featuring multimedia, music and dance: 4.30 – 6.30pm, Saturday 24 March.

The painting of the performance stage at Fergusson Oaks reserve is proudly presented by Manukau City Council in association with Auckland Festival, AK07

ENDS

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