This mural depicting OKC Thunder star Steven Adams is approximately 40' long and 25' wide. It was spray painted on a wall of The Paramount by fellow New Zealander Graham Hoete, a very talented artist.
Article text:
Graham Hoete, also known as Mr G, is a famed New Zealand graphic artist. He’s based in Sydney, Australia but crafts his work all over the world.
This week, he set off for the United States to spray-paint a tribute piece in Minneapolis for Prince. He also plans to produce one of Muhammad Ali in Louisville.
But before then, he had a personal project he wanted to get done. So on Monday, he made a stop in Oklahoma City to spray-paint a huge mural of fellow New Zealander Steven Adams just down the street from Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Related to this story
Video: New Zealand artist spray-painting huge mural of Steven Adams
The mural was still in progress as of late Monday and Hoete said he doesn't expect to complete it until Tuesday afternoon.
"I thought well, man, I’m going to the U.S. and he’s just the man in New Zealand," Hoete said. "Their whole family, bro, is huge inspirations. Role models. I thought man I gotta get to Oklahoma. Just to show some love, bro. I can’t go to the U.S. and not do one of the bro."
The mural is located on Film Row in downtown OKC on the side of The Paramount building at 701 W. Sheridan Ave. Hoete said he put a call out on his Facebook page recently to try to "source a wall" in the area. He connected with a local, crafted the mural on photoshop and had him present it to the people at The Paramount. They OK'd it.
"The answer’s always no if you don’t ask," Hoete said. "If I wouldn’t have found a wall, I wouldn’t have done it. So I’m stoked I have a wall."
Like many New Zealanders, Hoete, who is of Tongan descent just like Adams, spent the NBA playoffs far more invested than he's ever been. As Steven Adams name was popularizing around the United States, his fame was exploding back in his home country. Thunder fans were sprouting up all over New Zealand in a show of appreciation for Adams.
"I read one article about Steven that he was on the verge of prospecting for the Mongrol Mob, bro," Hoete said. "Which is one of the main gangs in New Zealand. It’s part of the culture for young Polynesian men there, bro. So it has a huge impact for someone to do something positive. I don’t think people understand the impact he’s had on young people in terms of presenting a positive role model. I know it sounds cliché but it’s a reality. It can be a life-changer for some of these young dudes."
Hoete is from Tauranga. Adams is from nearby Rotarua. Because of their similar background, Hoete said he felt a special connection. So all the way across the world, the New Zealand artist decided to memorialize the New Zealand hooper on a building in downtown Oklahoma City.
New article Nov. 9, 2021
(
visit link)