Red-Billed Gull/Tarapunga
This utility box by Paul Walsh graces the intersection of Tuarangi and Great North Roads, Grey Lynn; contrasting with the brickwork of the Pocket Bar and Kitchen.
May 28, 2017
September 13, 2016
Painted Boxes: Oratia
Oratia my valley – Monique Endt
Monique Endt in praise of Oratia – her valley, showing hill and dale, houses and fruit trees. Next to the intersection of West Coast Road and Shaw Road.
More murals at Oakland Daily Photo.
March 30, 2016
Painted Boxes: Tui
Tui
This box in Dominion Road is decorated by way of some photographic process. Showing a tui on a flowering coral tree. Tui are nectar eaters and love these flowers.
Tui
February 21, 2016
Painted Boxes: Horses
Horses
As you drive out Henderson Valley Road, you may well encounter riders on horseback along the way. Next to this transformer box (painted by an unnamed artist) is the Henderson Valley Bloodstock and Stables, with the Henderson Valley Pony Club close by.
Horses
Horses
February 17, 2016
Painted Boxes: Welcome to Laingholm
Welcome to Laingholm (Monique Endt)
A welcome to Laingholm has sprung up at the intersection of Huia and Victory Roads, Laingholm. The main panel showing a view of Laingholm Beach, with birdlife and typical bush vegetation.
Detail: Moreporks
Detail: Kingfishers in Flax
September 9, 2015
Painted Boxes: Punky Rooster (Paul Walsh)
Punky Rooster (Paul Walsh)
This utility box is in East Street, near the entrance to Ivan Anthony Gallery. Painted by Paul Walsh, with a dedication: “Partly funded by Sarah Tallentire”.
August 27, 2015
Painted Boxes: Flox at Catherine Place
Painted Boxes: Flox at Catherine Place
Another fine example of Flox’s stencil art on utility boxes, here a transformer in Catherine Place, Henderson, enveloped in abundant flowers and birds.
Painted Boxes: Flox at Catherine Place
July 7, 2015
Painted Boxes: Charabanc
Painted Boxes: Charabanc
This historically inspired utility box is in Holly Street, Avondale, at the corner with Victor Street. In the 1920’s Mr McCarthy was developing a transport business in Avondale using this early version of a bus, called a charabanc.
The box is unsigned.
(Lisa Truttman, The Timespanner, has a couple of posts under the heading “The Motor Car Changes Avondale” here and here.)
Painted Boxes: Charabanc and girls swimming in the Whau
Painted Boxes: Charabanc and girls swimming in the Whau
June 18, 2015
Painted Boxes: Cambridge Clothing (Jeremy Shirley)
Painted Boxes: Cambridge Clothing (Jeremy Shirley)
The corner of Clark Street and Great North Road in New Lynn is occupied by the Cambridge Clothing Company, an old established manufacturer. In their own words: “We believe in the right of every man to look good in clothes that fit, that flatter, that last.
That’s been our driving force since 1867. By the end of the nineteenth century we’d mastered the art of making clothes well, turning settlers into gentlemen without the Savile Row price tag.”
The boxes on the lawn have been painted by Jeremy Shirley, with a theme that I am tempted to call “Pacific City”, icons of Pacific and urban life, but also containing a nod to the manufacturing heritage with needle, thread, and button.
Painted Boxes: Cambridge Clothing (Jeremy Shirley)
May 20, 2015
Painted Boxes: Dragon and Taniwha
Painted Boxes: Taniwha
This pair of utility boxes by an unnamed artist is by the New Lynn railway station, corner Memorial Drive and Totara Avenue. Mythical creatures from different cultural backgrounds: the taniwha commanding respect of natural hazards in Maori tradition, and the dragon symbolising strength and good fortune in Chinese folklore.
Appropriate for the area, as New Lynn has a high proportion of Asian population — yin and yang for balance and harmony.
Painted Boxes: Dragon
Painted Boxes: Yin and Yang