THE "artist" responsible for painting eight massive blocks at the end of South Wall has contacted the Advocate to explain the motivation behind his brush with infamy.

He is a most unlikely suspect who, for the moment, wants to remain anonymous.

"Who I am is not really important," he said

"I do however want people to think long and hard about why I have done what I've done."

I have known the "artist" for 30-odd years, along with his mum, dad and sister.

He is well known and respected in sporting and business arenas and - to be frank - is not part of the city's "arty" set.

Far from it - I doubt whether this late 40s bloke spends much time inside galleries.

He's fit, healthy, a bit of a fish and a very proud Coffs Harbour local.

"I've always been a little bit naughty," he said as he started telling me how he had painted the blocks.

"But I've never been bad."

"I painted the first of the blocks - the yellow one - about four months ago.

"Then when the moment took me I'd head off again, running from the South Wall car park usually after midnight to do another one.

"My wife and kids have done one block, my parents did the last one."

If you knew the "artist" you would readily understand he is not a vandal, a guerrilla or an activist.

"I hope that no-one has been offended by what I've done. I love the harbour and wanted to celebrate it. From a very young age I've always thought of the breakwall as being made from Lego and that's why I chose those colours. I thought they would stand out within the bland blank canvas that is the harbour.

"I also wanted to draw everyone's attention to the area and for them to see it as a potentially bright and lively spot.

"The public consultation about what to do at the harbour has dragged on for far too long and been hijacked by interest groups. The harbour belongs to all of us but has been bogged down by local politics.

"I hope that as a result of what I've done people start demanding that our leaders either do something to bring life back to the harbour, or step aside so someone else can.

"I did think about seeking permission for painting the blocks but I figured that process would take years and involve a whole lot of impact studies and the sort - and in the end I'd only be allowed to use beige paint."

He told me he had been heartened by the largely positive response to his clandestine endeavours.

"I'm happy that most people seem to like what I've done, but it's the fact that people are actually talking about the harbour and breakwall that makes me happiest."

As to whether our artist still has paint in his can?

"From the outset I wanted to do about 12 or 13 blocks, but who knows when I'll get the chance to finish the job."