Mark Twain mural by Mike Marsh, 2017

Jam TV were running a documentary on behalf of TVNZ to cover Mark Twain’s lecture series across NZ, which was part of a world tour across the British colonies in 1895. The documentarian approached Palmerston North City Council, after finding out that Palmerston North had a growing street art scene, suggesting that a local artist do a piece based on Mark Twain, and talk about their views or knowledge of Mark Twain as part of the visit.

Whanganui artist Mike Marsh (who was exhibiting at Safe As Gallery at the time and had recently completed a piece in Berrymans Lane for Beats, Bites, and Brushes) was commissioned by PNCC, through the city’s Placemaking Initiative, to do a portrait of Mark Twain in recognition of his visit to Palmy. This image shows the completed mural, on the edge of 'Red Square', off Main Street.

Source: Manawatu Heritage