Watch this space - Chiwahwah
Chiwahwah
Artist Dcypher
Date Late 2022
Location Oxford Terrace, Central Christchurch
Right in the heart of Ōtautahi, The Terrace is a bustling hub of hospitality, but stand in just the right place and look the right way, and you can also find this vibrant painting by Christchurch artist Dcypher. Commissioned by Mexican cantina Chiwahwah, the mural is a colourful concoction of stunning details, from the alluring figure to the soaring bird in the top corner and even the small chihuahua dog that serves as a connection to the eatery behind the wall. The woman’s bright floral headdress contrasts with the blue-grey tones (including the Aztec-inspired background pattern), while her jaw, exposed as if by decaying x-ray, is an extension of her Día de los Muertos sugar skull face paint. Venture down the small alleyway, and the mural’s anamorphic composition is revealed. While the image is stretched and elongated when viewed from directly in front, the mural makes perfect and proportioned sense when viewed from the right location on the busy main thoroughfare of Oxford Terrace.
Explore more of Ōtautahi’s urban art on a Watch This Space guided street art tour! Email tours@watchthisspace.org.nz for booking information.