Yeon Seo Kim unveils award-winning mural at Kristin School, Auckland

4 Jul 2019

Auckland artist, Yeon Seo Kim, has unveiled an award-winning mural on the bleachers at Kristin School in Albany, Auckland.

Yeon Seo Kim was one of ten winners from across the country who took out the top prize in Keep New Zealand Beautiful’s (KNZB) Resene Nature Murals Competition 2019.

The mural, titled ‘What Could Have Been’, represents all the plastic that gathers in the ocean which endangers wildlife in the water, and has an effect on birds and other organisms that rely on those fish to survive.

On competition of the mural the artist said: “I’m really happy with how it turned out and I’m glad I was able to do this as everyone has really enjoyed and appreciated it around school. I had an amazing time painting this and I’m really honoured that I was chosen! Thank you for this great experience”.

The Resene Nature Murals Competition, which is part of the Paint New Zealand Beautiful programme, ran from February – April 2019, with artists encouraged to submit mural designs which included an environmental message. Artists from around the country sent in their designs, with the top ten murals selected based on their environmental message, enhancement of the community, and originality/creativity. Winning designs receive a $1000 grant, along with a $750 Resene paint voucher and other materials to paint their mural.

KNZB CEO, Heather Saunderson, said: “KNZB is proud to partner with Resene again this year to deter vandalism and Paint New Zealand Beautiful. Numerous studies have shown the great impact murals have on their surrounding communities – from increasing civic pride, to a reduction in anti-social behaviour such as littering and graffiti. Together with Resene, we’re excited to see Yeon Seo Kim’s mural come to life and to help Auckland beautify their corner of New Zealand”.