Oi You! Take part in the best of urban art

COLIN SMITH

URBAN CHIC: George Shaw holds a classic urban art image by Banksy at the Oi You! Urban Art Project set up at Founders Heritage Park as part of the Nelson Arts Festival.

Relevant offers

If you ever wanted to know what the Tasman Glacier looks like with a Mitre10 Mega built firmly on its top look no further than Oi You!

Founders Heritage Park has been turned into an urban wonderland as part of the outdoor exhibition which features some of the best up-and-coming art in the country.

Organiser and urban art specialist George Shaw said artists were working all hours to create an amazing backdrop for the event. This included many installations, massive urban art images and even a painted car. Mr Shaw has drawn heavily on the famed and anonymous British urban artist Banksy to create an atmosphere for the event.

One of Mr Shaw's creations renders a large department store on top of the Tasman Glacier.

"It's about being part of something really. Everyone is really enthused about what we are doing."

More than 70 entries have been whittled down to a dozen, which are now on display at the park.

Mr Shaw said urban art's popularity had exploded over the past few years and had even gained a mainstream following. It featured heavily in Nelson schools' art rooms but had yet to have a public platform.

Oi You! was about raising its profile in Nelson.

Oi You! will also feature interactive areas where the audience is invited to create art.

"So if you want to create your own masterpiece or simply have a mooch, see an art show that's a bit different for Nelson and soak up the atmosphere."

The winners will be chosen by Auckland urban art group the Cut Collective and there will be an auction of the work run by comedian Te Radar on Saturday, October 23, from 6.30pm.

Oi You! runs from today to Monday October 25 and is free to the public.

- © Fairfax NZ News