Eketahuna gallery an urban sanctuary

COLOURFUL: Watson with some of his paintings, which are influenced by 1980s skateboard graphics.

With its pews, women hymn board, stained glass windows and 1900s foundation stone still in place, the old Eketahuna Presbyterian Church could still pass for a typical house of prayer.

That is, if it weren't for the birds, flames, and suns scrawled in spraypaint on the walls and ceilings, and garish paintings of wild-eyed witches, jack-o-lanterns and Bill Gates next to the windows.

These are the handiwork of urban artist resident Mark Watson, who has been making over the Herbert St landmark as an art gallery.

Watson, originally from Marton, has dubbed the new space Rev (short for Reverend) - a nod to its ecclesiastical past, but also evoking words such as "revolution" and "revival".

Rev's small town setting and his bold, graffiti-inspired works are a "bit of a contrast", but one he hopes will be well-received.

"It's different - but, if anything, I think I'm bringing in more colour and vibrancy.

"There is a real artsy vibe in Eketahuna, so I think it will fit."

Watson arrived in Eketahuna last year, after having searched "all over the lower North Island" for a gallery space.

"It was on my bucket list to start a gallery," he said.

"I knew I wouldn't be happy doing anything else but art - so a gallery was the next logical step."

Eventually, he "fell in love" with the church, buying it from the Living Springs Christian Centre, and spending the past six months renovating the inside.

The church was built in 1908 and had an initially flourishing community.

It fell into decline during World War I, with no services held and the building becoming a haven for squatters.

After being briefly used as a school, it was refurbished in the 1930s, and boasted an active congregation during and after World War II.

Membership decreased in the 1970s with the union of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches, and it was eventually used as a youth centre by Living Springs - who left the building vacant two years ago.

"There were old bibles and birth records everywhere - so I learned a lot about the people born here.

"Plus, the timber work is amazing."

Watson has been painting from a young age, and studied art at the Western Institute of Technology in New Plymouth, later exhibiting in Palmerston North and Mangaweka.

As a keen skateboarder, his art is heavily influenced by 1980s skateboard graphics.

He also draws inspiration from Impressionism and Cubism.

"I just throw as much colour at it as possible, and I make an image from there - the paint tells you where it wants to go.

-Rev's official opening will be held Saturday, March 7, from 5pm to 7pm.