Surprise over Sheeran mural reaction - but no regrets

Thursday, 15 March 2018

Back in 2018, Tyler Kennedy Stent said that the controversial mural of Ed Sheeran didn't have to have meaning, it can just make Dunedin better looking.

John Christie is sleeping well.

The Enterprise Dunedin's director said he was surprised by the reaction to the Ed Sheeran mural, but stands by the controversial decision to commission it.

Dunedin artist Tyler Kennedy Stent finished the Bath St mural of the British pop-star, which cost ratepayers $8350, earlier this week.

The completed Ed Sheeran mural in Dunedin by local artist Tyler Kennedy Stent.

It is just a short stroll from Christie's office and every time he visited the site there were people taking photos and selfies before it.

But it wasn't always so popular.

Artist Tyler Kennedy Stent working on his tribute to the singer Ed Sheeran. He is a fan of the pop star, but does not have tickets to the concert.

Breakfast host Hayley Holt is not an Ed Sheeran fan.

* Hayley Holt hates Ed Sheeran: 'He just tries to suck up to us'

* Kiwi musos ask why: Why is the Dunedin Council paying for an Ed Sheeran mural?

* Ed Sheeran mural: Artist reveals his vision and defends controversial street art

* Painting the town Ed - new city mural to honour Ed Sheeran**

Breakfast host Hayley Holt was one of the more high-profile detractors, suggesting that its creation would stop her visiting Dunedin.

In a nod to Holt, Kennedy-Stent painted a love-heart tattoo in the mural.

Christie said the commissioning of the artwork was not designed to generate national or international headlines.

'I have been surprised by how much national attention it has given for us.

'It was a really strategic piece of marketing around how we engage with our community and those visiting the city.'

Christie, who sought permission from Sheeran's promoter, said he thought it would be a place where locals and visitors would snap a selfie and post it on Facebook, rather than a water cooler conversation.

'When you weigh up the public comment and the media attention over the weekend in particular, if I knew then what I didn't know back then would I still have made the same decision? I think the answer would still be 'yes'.'

Christie said the the cost of the mural, which included resource consent, scaffolding and artist fees, was a good use of the city's marketing dollar.

'I sleep easy on it.'

It also gave artist Kennedy Stent some exposure, who earlier this week told Stuff he could understand the concern of some people.

The self-confessed Sheeran fan also revealed he hadn't tickets to the Dunedin concerts (Ed: if you are reading this … ).

The street art was facilitated by the Dunedin Street Art Trust, which had commissioned more than 40 artworks adorning walls around the city's CBD.

Sheeran would arrive in New Zealand at the end of March, to embark on a six-concert tour, playing in Auckland and Dunedin.

Dunedin would host more than 60,000 visitors and 100,000 concertgoers. To capitalise on the occasion a festival would be held over Easter.

After sold-out shows at Mt Smart the British pop star is playing Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium on March 29, 31 and April 1.

Opening acts would be Six60 in Dunedin and Drax Project in Auckland.