The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 isn’t just an epic display of soccer for Wahine Toa worldwide, it's also a canvas for some seriously jaw-dropping art right here in Aotearoa.
As the excitement continues to build heading into the quarter-finals, artists have been going all out with mind-blowing art installations that will have you doing double takes.
Mr G - Project Tūmanako 2.0
World-renowned artist Mr G (aka Graham Hoete) has gone big and bold with his Tūmanako 2.0 project.
This creative has teamed up with talented young female artists from all over the country to conjure up six larger-than-life murals that scream "We're here to make history!"
These striking masterpieces are a love letter to Māori and indigenous athletes.
Feast your eyes on these jaw-droppers across the FIFA host cities:
Hamilton: Grace Jale's mural is the star at FMG Stadium.
Wellington: Get an eyeful of Paige Satchell's mural at Shed 6 TSB Arena.
Dunedin: Claudia Bunge's mural stands tall opposite Dunedin Stadium, Anzac Ave-style.
Auckland: Behold the Malia Steinmetz mural gracing The Cloud on the waterfront (Catch it before August 20th!). Mr G also painted a stunning mural of football icon Amber Hearn which resides at Eden Park.
Tauranga Tiahuia Street Art Project
If you happen to find yourself in Tauranga, take a stroll and indulge in the eye candy that is the spectacular street art.
Owen Dippie, Mr G (yep, he's everywhere), Jacob Yikes, Lucy McLauchlan, Fintan Magee, and Fin DAC are just a few names who have turned the city into a canvas.
Now wāhine artists have taken over more of the city’s walls, with five new works being commissioned through the Hine te Hiringa fund established to celebrate and empower women alongside the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
Find the locations of the murals on the city’s refreshed public artwork app – City Art Walk.
Dunedin Mural
Dunedin is getting in on the action with a mural extravaganza outside the Municipal Chambers in the Octagon.
Local talents Kelly Spencer (or Kell Sunshine for the artsy insiders), Aroha Novak, Devon Smith, Xoe Hall, Miriama Grace-Smith, and Gina Kiel have sprinkled their creative magic on a mural featuring the words of Iona Winter's poem 'Intuit' (Steele Roberts Aotearoa, 2018).
This beauty will grace the Town Hall for a solid five years, so there's plenty of time to admire and maybe snap a picture or two.
SOURCE: eyeson.nz
But wait, that’s not all that’s going on in Deunedin! Ephraim Russell has lit up Dunedin's Octagon with a series of "lightboxes" celebrating local football-connected women.
Domestic club players Hannah Langsbury and Zara Pratley and photographer Clare Toia-Bailey - who all shone a spotlight in the city's bid to host the World Cup three years ago - are all proudly featured alongside Football Fern Annalie Longo.
SOURCE: @ephraimrussell on Instargam
Whether you're a soccer fanatic, an art aficionado, or just someone who enjoys a good time, the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 has something that will make you cheer. And hey, don't forget to check out the wicked FIFA Fan Festivals too!
To check out all of the other amazing off field events and stories that have taken place as part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, head to Eyeson.nz.
