Portrait of Graham Hoete (Mr G)

Located at the north end of Steeple Lane

Created for the 2017 Street Print Mauao Festival.

About the subject: Graeme Hoete, also known as Mr G, is a street artist who specialises in photo-realistic murals. Hoete was born on Mōtītī island in the Bay of Plenty. He is of Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāti Awa descent. He was introduced to spray paint graffiti from Charles William, founding member of the Auckland TMD Crew.

Hoete’s creative career began in Sydney where he worked as a graphic designer for seven years. His first commissioned artworks were of clients' dogs, which earned him enough income to begin to pursue his art career full time. In 2016, after the passing of Prince, Hoete was moved to paint a mural in the singer's honour. His Sydney mural went viral leading to a request from Prince's hometown for another mural in Minneapolis. He was subsequently invited to Prince's memorial by Prince's brother.

The opposite wall has has some spectacular pieces on it in the past, but currently it has been returned to it's sterile wash of magnolia white. If you are looking for either of the following works, sadly both are no more.

Ahsin Ahsin painted in 2020 – removed around 2023

Cinzah painted in 2015 and replaced by Ahsin Ahsin in 2020