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Adesanya happy to have his 'mug' on show in Auckland CBD

May 13, 2024
The Israel Adesanya mural in Auckland's CBD.

Kiwi street artist Owen Dippie has completed his mural of UFC fighter Israel Adesanya in a Victoria St car park.

The mural, which Dippie has been working on for a number of weeks, is officially complete.

Adesanya said he's admired Dippie's work for some time after first seeing one of his murals near their old City Kickboxing gym.

"I saw his work of this beautiful Maori lady with a tāmoko. I never knew who he was at the time and I've seen his work all across Auckland and he does a lot of work worldwide.

"To be immortalised on the wall in the city that I've stood on by one of the greatest to do it, and right by the Sky Tower, it's fitting, it's poetic, it's awesome."

The preparation of the wall itself was Dippie's biggest task.

"He had to chip away the paint for days, then paint the walls with like four coats of white and then look at this mug for how many weeks. It's a lot of work but it's much appreciated." Adesanya said.

As for the purpose of the mural, Dippie said Adesanya inspires him in everything that he does.

"His dedication to whatever it is, whether it's fighting, art, music, you want to do something and you take it to that level," he said.

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