A famous painter is about to be recognised in a new street art mural in Wellington.
A photo of Rita Angus taken around 1947 by Theo Schoon will be recreated on a building wall on Bond St.
Organiser Bruce Mahalski says it has been three years in the making.
"The first idea we had was something to do with her 1938 self-portrait, which is… the 'Mona Lisa' of New Zealand," he told Newshub.
Angus spent much of her life in the capital.
"It's about 15m wide and… probably 28m high or so," said Mr Mahalski. "We'd like the mural to go up to about 20m."
The preparation work gets underway Saturday, and the painting will take three weeks to complete.
"Taking art to the streets makes it available to everyone, and much more fun," said associate arts portfolio holder Nicola Young, of Wellington City Council. "I hope it will encourage more people to visit art galleries, by reducing the perception of exclusiveness."
It will be third time lucky for organisers.
"We tried to do it and there was an earthquake. The second year we were going to use an English artist… but his wife got sick, so we had to cancel it again. Now we're at attempt number three with Askew One, who is a well-known Auckland artist."
Newshub.
