New mural for Claudelands underpass

A young Hamilton artist has brightened up a previously drab Hamilton road underpass with the latest of a series of new murals across the city.

Wintec fine arts student Eliza Webster has added a colourful and eye-catching mural to the small underpass where Claudelands Road dips under River Road, on the eastern side of the Waikato River.

The 22-year-old says painting a mural in a public place would be "way more fun" than producing works on canvas. She identified the Claudelands Road underpass as a location she wanted to work on, having also contributed to the Boon street art festival in October.

Her mural depicts a number of characters painted in a style reminiscent of cubism, and is part of an assessment for her Wintec qualification.

"I like the way it displays an idea of community," she says of the group of characters who feature in the piece.


Wintec fine arts student Eliza Webster with the eye-catching mural in the Claudelands underpass. Photo © Jeff Neems / Hamilton City Council

She took about 20 hours to complete the work, with help from several friends.  She is keen to explore other opportunities to paint murals in other public locations.

Mayor Julie Hardaker says the Council wants to hear from artists who can contribute their work to the city's public spaces.

"We're seeing some wonderful artwork added to Hamilton, particularly in the central city. This is something the Council encourages, and we are pleased to have helped Eliza create a unique piece like this in a place where the public can enjoy it."

Artists who are interested in creating artworks in public spaces can email art@hcc.govt.nz for more information.