Street art takes to the roads

Tiger beer and street-artists the Cut Collective are painting the town literally – with 10 artworks sprayed on to the back of inner city Auckland buses.

The backs of the 10 Metrolink and Link buses feature different spray-painted stencil works by the Cut Collective.

Tiger has a long-standing interest in art and supports and encourages local artists with the likes of its annual Tiger Translate events which showcase modern art and music. The bus campaign is the brand’s latest initiative.

“Buses are a great way to get art into an environment normally reserved for advertising,” says Anna Isaac, brand manager for Tiger Beer.

“The Tiger brand is about standing out from the crowd and what better way to do so with street art that is unique in design, aesthetics and meaning. It was the perfect opportunity to work with the very-talented Cut Collective crew.

“We hope to brighten the days of Aucklanders stuck in traffic and inspire creativity in the city.”

Stencil-based murals from the artists are also displayed in four of Auckland’s top bars – The Ginger Minx, Grand Central, Bungalow 8 and Racket.

Cut Collective artist ‘TrustMe’ says the group focused on thought-provoking art, with the designs containing commentary on a range of matters both topical and traditional.

“Buses provide a great canvas. They are in the public arena which has always been important to our art, and they are mobile. The impetus for putting our art within public space is all about people encountering art outside of the traditional context of the gallery or museum. We have taken this opportunity to create artworks that touch on ideas relevant to all of us while still ensuring people can relate on a purely visual level," he says.

The Cut Collective comprises five artists in Auckland: TrustMe, Component, Flox, Enforce 1 and Kool. The collective is known for its commissioned artworks, gallery exhibitions, curation, public murals, workshops and production management.

The buses are scheduled to hit central Auckland streets from 7 September to 22 November.

For more information on the Cut Collective, visit: www.cutcollective.co.nz