A work of art currently on display at the Tauranga Art Gallery as part of the Paradox Inside exhibition could teach many of us an important life lesson:

Take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

The work ‘Perspexive 2' created by Brisbane street artist Sofles is one of the many drawcards of the inaugural Paradox: Tauranga Street Art Festival which is taking place in and around the city until June 15.

'Sofles is fast becoming one of the world's most widely known and respected street artists. He is a member of the graffiti art crew TMD and has become an internet sensation through his viral film Limitless shot by videographer Selina Miles,” says a Paradox spokesperson.

Earlier this month Tauranga City Council uploaded a short film to YouTube created by Selina Miles showing the process Sofles went through to create ‘Perspexive 2' at the art gallery.

'His work on Perspex came about after discovering the interesting method of painting onto the back of clear materials. By painting onto Perspex it is possible to break down a 2D image into multiple, layered parts.

'This allows the viewer to physically walk through the layers seeing each abstracted element of this overlapping, 3D art puzzle slowly coming together. When visitors see the work from the viewing point, the final image can be seen as a complete whole.”

Paradox: Tauranga Street Art Festival takes place across the city until June 15. For more information visit the festival website: www.taurangastreetartfestival.nz

A view of the individual layers which make up Sofles' work ‘Perspexive 2'.

Brisbane artist Sofles at work.