Plenty of character

When Mauricio Benega was two-years-old, he drew all over the walls in his family home in the Brazilian city of Curitiba. His father, although angry at first, relented and redirected the toddler’s creativity to his own bedroom wall.

This marked the beginning of the artist’s life-long dedication to his craft. From doodling in high school books, to graphic design for the Curitiba newspaper, and now decorating the Hawke’s Bay with large outdoor murals, Benega lives and breathes art.

“I am always evolving with my art style. I love comics and caricatures, the use of text, and bright colours,” he says. In his adoptive home town of coastal Te Awanga he finds constant inspiration. “Any little thing can inspire me, like the sun over the surf break in the evening or a commission request.”

Benega’s unique style uses Resene paint to create a compilation of patterns that showcase kiwiana lifestyles and landscapes, and often carry an undertone of irony.

If you visit Havelock North, you can learn all about the Hawke’s Bay town just by gazing at Benega’s mural. The vibrant colours and funky text captures Havelock North’s beloved eateries, boutique shopping and country town essence. “The mural depicts the life of local restaurants, cafés, and shops, plus the iconic landmarks like the Keirunga Gardens and Duart House nearby,” says Benega.

Benega loves using Resene paint for his creations because of the opaque formula and the extensive range of shades. His insider tip is to open the test posts and let them dry partially in the air, which creates a fun rubbery consistency for a unique painting texture.

When it comes to landscapes and Andersonscenic murals, Benega’s favourite colours to use are teals and blues, like the Resene shade Jacarta, which works for both oceans and horizons.

Mauricio Benega’s art will be on sale at the Art in the Park Show in Auckland from 7–10 September.

Benega uses a predominance of Resene blues in his work

For more of Benega’s work, see Instagram @mauriciobenega or mauriciobenega.com

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