Watch This Space

11/06/2026

From the small Scottish town of Paisley, just west of Glasgow, via Melbourne’s iconic Everfresh Studio, Shaun Devenney travelled a long way to find himself painting in Ōtautahi. Establishing a strong reputation for his thoughtful, painterly ruminations on life, a kind of acerbic social realism informed by his Scottish sense of humour and an observational world view, Devenney’s deft brushwork and compositions are undeniably unique. His work is a reminder of the diverse potential of urban painting, eschewing conventions and traditions in favour of an aesthetic that is equally informed by the studio as the streets. With the assistance of Life in Vacant Spaces, we were lucky enough to help Shaun secure a wall to leave a legacy of his trip to Ōtautahi, and in doing so, we were able to spend some time with the artist. In between painting sessions, we sat down with Shaun for a chat about his travels, his trajectory as an artist, the distinctions between the streets and the studio, and the increasingly confusing world we face.

Read the interview on our blog: https://blog.watchthisspace.org.nz/2026/06/08/shaun-devenney-if-you-dont-laugh-youll-cry/

Mural locations:
📍 Vetlife New Brighton, 20 Beresford Street, New Brighton
📍 Waitomo Fitzgerald, 79 Fitzgerald Avenue, Central City

09/06/2026

Following the success of our first exhibition that featured more than 70 local talents, Roll Call returns for its second iteration, bringing together artists from across the wide spectrum of urban art practice.

Roll Call serves as a survey of the evolution of urban art in Ōtautahi Christchurch, and this year’s exhibition explores the idea of documentation, influence, and the ways urban art is remembered, shared, and passed on.

From concept sketches, zines, photos, and local histories to Instagram posts, process videos, and digital inspiration, urban art has always existed beyond the final work itself. Documentation can preserve a moment, build culture, and completely change the way art is created and experienced.

As with the first Roll Call, we welcome artists of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels working across graffiti, painting, photography, textiles, sculpture, printmaking, installation, moving image, and beyond.

This theme is intended as a broad starting point for interpretation rather than a strict brief. Work may fit with these themes and ideas in myriad ways; whether thematically in specific works, suggested through materiality, or in the artists’ broader body of work/career. This can therefore be considered a lens through which to view your contribution, encouraging reflection rather than dictating direction.

This framework will also help us in the curation of the show, providing connections between work and suggesting potential spatial dynamics. We are happy to discuss this concept and how it might apply to your submission so get in touch!

☝️ Please note that exhibition dates and venue are still being finalised, but it will likely take place in the central city in mid-to-late August.

📝 Fill out the form to apply: https://form.jotform.com/261588216034053

05/06/2026

In March, we put out a call for an assistant to help bring his latest mural to life — a repaint of his original work at Washington Skate Park.

We received dozens of applications from a wide variety of artists, making for quite a difficult selection process. After some deliberation, Jacob chose , whose vibrant illustrative style and enthusiasm were a great fit for the project.

It was amazing to see so much interest in this unique opportunity, and we’re grateful to everyone who took time to apply — we’ll keep you posted about similar opportunities in the future!

And in the meantime… watch this space 😉

20/05/2026

Over a career spanning multiple decades and ranging from graffiti and tattooing to his increasingly prominent studio output, Morks is a singular creative force. The artist from the foothills of the Southern Alps is in the midst of a busy period – opening two shows within a fortnight: the survey-like Enter the Void at Oxford Gallery – Toi o Waimakariri, where a range of works represent his myriad influences, from folk art to skateboarding, his military service, love of nature, tattoo, graffiti and more; and Two-Way Street at The Central in central Ōtautahi, a group show centred on the mentor-mentee relationship between Morks, sculptor Luca McDonnell, and the late Philip Trusttum, ONZM, one of Aotearoa’s most accomplished painters.

The day after the opening of Two-Way Street, we took the drive out to Oxford, and after an obligatory pie from the Sheffield Pie Shop, we took in Enter the Void, before sitting down with the artist to discuss what has been a busy time – fitting for someone with a self-described busy creative mind.

Read the interview on our blog: https://blog.watchthisspace.org.nz/2026/05/18/morks-the-busy-mind-enter-the-void-oxford-gallery-and-two-way-street-the-central/

14/05/2026

If you’ve walked past the local fixture that is Soundline Audio at 388 Madras Street over the past few weeks, you may have noticed a new burst of colour across the shopfront. The striking mural, painted by Dark Ballad, pays tribute to the legendary Jimi Hendrix while bringing a fresh energy to a long-standing visual landmark.

Having created artworks for musicians in the past and drawing constant inspiration from music as a whole, Dark Ballad was a natural fit for the project, making it feel especially meaningful. In his own words:

“Stoked to have the opportunity to paint a mural of a musician so influential to me at Soundline. Jimi Hendrix in my opinion is the greatest guitarist of all time so it was rad to be able pay homage to him in a way that combines my stencil work, tie dye style and my street art work. Soundline was known for its previous iconic Hendrix sign so it was cool to carry on the tradition in a new, fresh, and super vibrant way.”

11/05/2026

On the sunny morning of the first day of May, a vibrant new mural by Ōtautahi’s own Drows and Tāmaki Makaurau powerhouses Charles and Janine Williams was unveiled to mark World Smokefree May 2026 – the collaborative work a powerful expression of how our hauora (health and wellbeing) is shaped by the support of the communities surrounding us.

The mural’s title, Mā Te Huruhuru Ka Rere Te Manu (Like a manu needs feathers to fly, it is whānau and community that carry us to success), reminds us that it is by equipping people with the necessary tools and support, they will be enabled to thrive and succeed.

Mā Te Huruhuru Ka Rere Te Manu was brought to life with support from Hapai Te Hauora - Maori Public Health, along with Youth & Cultural Development and Flare Ōtautahi Street Art Festival, and has transformed it’s Sydenham setting, itself a space with a unique connection to the artists, as we found out when we caught up with Drows and Charles as they finished up the mural in time for the unveiling.

Read the full story in our blog: https://blog.watchthisspace.org.nz/2026/05/07/charles-and-janine-williams-x-drows-ma-te-huruhuru-ka-rere-te-manu/

17/04/2026

At the end of March, we were stoked to pop along to the Giant Cans Space on St Asaph Street and check out a new collaborative production going up, created by our mate Jonny Waters Art and his Toi Ora art therapy group from Purapura Whetu.

Seeing one of the giant cans transformed with an energetic, colourful and meaningful creation and the collaboration that went into the mahi was a perfect example of what we hope the Cans can be — an open-air studio for ideas, experimentation and activation, and a vital reminder of the power of art in the streets.

You can find out more about Purapura Whetu and Toi Ora by visiting https://www.tewaharoa.maori.nz/copy-of-adventure-based-learning

PS. The cans are a free community space but if you wanted to explore a workshop or idea, get in touch!

13/04/2026

02/04/2026

We were honoured to support this mural project at Ronald McDonald House South Island, working alongside Jay Skelton to transform a once blank courtyard wall into something vibrant, welcoming, and full of life.

Built around the idea of FAMILY, the mural became a shared space, inviting families staying at the house to contribute their own words, drawings, and moments: “I hope the space now feels more inviting… reinforcing the idea that it is for them to use as if it were a home away from home.”

With support from Wattyl, this project is a reminder of the power of art to create connection, comfort, and a sense of belonging.

Read the full story on our blog: https://blog.watchthisspace.org.nz/2026/04/02/a-home-away-from-home-jay-daken-skelton-at-ronald-mcdonald-house/

26/03/2026

Entering its final few days, don’t miss out on CHOMP at , an exhibition of the paste-ups of Earwig magazine curated by Ōtautahi-based graphic designer Claudia Long.

Read about it on our blog: https://blog.watchthisspace.org.nz/2026/03/26/chomp-the-paste-ups-of-earwig-magazine-coca-21-february-29-march/