JacobYikes makes work that chooses its own meaning.
@jacobyikes artwork is currently pasted across Christchurch and Wellington on Phantom bollards, and his recent mural in central Ōtautahi, now the largest mural in the country, was completed in under four weeks for @flarestreetartfestival .
We talked to Jacob about how this mural came about, how Christchurch facilitates street artists, and what he's building towards over the coming years.
Full interview via the link in our bio.
Christchurch street art just hit new heights 🎨
Standing over 50 metres tall, @jacobyikes mural for @flarestreetartfestival 2025 is putting Ōtautahi on the global street art map 👀 and guess what, it’s been nominated for Best Mural 2025 by @streetartcities ! 😍
From a blank wall on @distinctionchristchurchhotel to the international spotlight, this piece of art has added to our story as a must-visit destination for street art lovers and tourists alike.
Now that’s a pretty cool thing to celebrate! 🙌
#ChristchurchNZ #Ōtautahi #streetart #VisitChristchurch #ThingsToDoChristchurch
JACOB YIKES
Jacob Yikes is a visual artist and muralist based in Otautahi. As a core member of the DTR crew, he has become a leading figure in Aotearoa’s urban art movement, transforming walls into gateways of imagination.
His works fuse ancient mythologies, visionary states and psychedelic motifs, creating narratives that bridge the seen and the unseen. In early 2025, Yikes completed the tallest mural in New Zealand, a monumental 52 meter high piece created in just 3 weeks cementing his place among the country’s most influential and sought after street artists. Through both his studio practice and large scale public works, he builds a personal mythos that channels transformation, mystery and light emerging from darkness. Each piece invites the viewer into a visionary state- a journey through time, space and consciousness.
Works coming soon 👀
Reach out for more information 🔥
📧 [email protected]
☎️ +64 27 333 5033
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#queenstownnz #nzartgallery #newzealandartist #christchurchnz #ōtautahi
Refreshed the mural at Washington skate park over Easter weekend , thanks @watchthisspacechch for over seeing this project with city council . Big thanks to @ajanoobie for assisting me at the beginning of this project , fist time helping with a mural and she was a great help 👏
Re worked this painting because it felt unfinished lol
It’s now hanging in @flarestreetartfestival co-op gallery at the crossing chch central
I have a whole new series of works that I’ve been slowly building up - prob won’t release them until 2027 but there will be about 40 of them 😅 but for now this little guys on display so if your in town over the next wee while go check him out ✌️
#jacobyikes #yikes #surrealism #darkarts #dreamscape
Ghost storeys a new project in collaboration with @ghostcat_mb and @jacobyikes . Bringing back notable architectural locations of Christchurch lost to the 2011 earthquake . First one being Johnson’s grocer’s originally located at the north end of Colombo street and now resides at little high in the SALT district Keep an eye out for these appearing all over the city. #ghoststoreys
Ghost stories 👻
A new collaborative project with @ghostcat@dcypher_dtrcbs and myself
Over the next few months we will be re creating builds like this of old buildings/businesses from pre chch earthquake .
First one up is the old Johnson’s grocers which used to be on Columbo street . This build is located at the back entrance of little high eatery
