A virtual reality experience created by world-famous Melbourne street artist Rone will take Paradox: Tauranga Street Art Festival-goers into places they've never been before.

The virtual reality installation is part of Paradox Inside and will complement the Oi YOU! Collection and bespoke works by six top Kiwi and international artists at the Tauranga Art Gallery.

The virtual reality piece features a series of unique female portraits Rone created especially for his highly acclaimed show Empty which opened in Melbourne last October.

Paradox artistic director George Shaw is thrilled to bring this virtual reality piece into the art gallery as part of Paradox. He and his partner Shannon were in Melbourne for the opening of Empty whichfeatured Rone's ground breaking 360-degree virtual reality experience.

'We'd never seen anything like it before, we knew instantly we wanted to bring this exceptional experience to Paradox and were so excited when Rone agreed.

'Rone is quoted as saying he finds something beautiful in things that are dilapidated and forgotten and to amplify this he ventured into a series of derelict buildings and painted his signature haunting female faces.

'These juxtapositions make for amazing photographic imagery but experiencing them in virtual reality takes them to another level entirely.”

Tauranga City Council city transformation general manager Jaine Lovell-Gadd can't wait to see the reaction of people as they move through the virtual space created by Rone and experience something truly extraordinary.

Jian says virtual reality is a new way of engaging with visitors at events and Paradox visitors will be able to experience the virtual reality element with smartphone powered headsets – Google VR headsets and Galaxy Note 6 handsets supplied by Spark.

'Inside the headsets visitors will be taken on a stunning journey through the run-down buildings where Rone painted his works.

'Usually Rone's work can be seen in public spaces where people can go and visit, but with these places, even Rone said he wouldn't want to send people to these houses.”

Paradox: Tauranga Street Art Festival will run from March 28 through to 15 June and is being developed by Tauranga City Council in partnership with Oi YOU! and Tauranga Art Gallery. For more information visit the festival website: www.taurangastreetartfestival.nz