For what will likely become one of the all-time iconic Graffiato murals, Dcypher and SwiftMantis combined forces on a collab that has few rivals for scale and magnificence in Taupō. We wanted to hear from the artists about how they made it happen. It’s truly a lesson in artistic expression through amazing teamwork. Read the descriptions below…
Artwork Dcypher X SwiftMantis – 2025
Dcypher X SwiftMantis – 2025
Artists: Dcypher , SwiftMantis
Location: McDonald's Drive-Through
Year: 2025
Status: Completed
Description
How did you approach the collaboration?
We came into this collab with an open mind and a shared goal — to blend our strengths and create something that really reflects both of our styles. It was all about conversation, creativity, and mutual respect for each other's work. Gudrun - Swift Mantis’s new cat was the initial spark for the narrative of the mural. Likened to Garfield the famous cartoon cat which in-turn prompted Odie and a chaotic kitchen scene background as the content for the mural.
Further Information
What did you feel you achieved during this process?
We achieved a true meeting of style and technique. The final result feels authentic to both stylistic approaches and showcases what’s possible when different perspectives come together with a common purpose. Merging realism and cartoon juxtaposition gave the mural the fun playful edge that could be enjoyed by all demographics from young and old and has a universal appeal to anyone from any cultural background.
Categories: 2025
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