Whio by Flox, 2021

This street art was part of the 2021 Whanganui Walls event and was painted by Mica Still. Read her artist statement:

“This piece pays homage to the environmental taonga of the Whanganui district. At the heart of this diverse slice of land lies the Whanganui River, an ancient body of water illustrated through the background use of translucent water-like drips.

In front, sits the Whio, (Blue Duck) an endangered native species found on the shores of the river, whose livelihood is at stake from development, farming and run off – which in turn all challenge the health and ecology of the river itself.

Stylised hands graphically adorn the left and right of the artwork symbolising a reference to our collective guardianship and the responsibilities we have as humans in the fight against global warming and species extinction.” - Mica Still

Photo credit - Mark Brimblecombe