New Wellington-based experimental arts magazine White Fungus is now on sale at locations throughout New Zealand.

The magazine began as a one-off publication during the 2004 local body elections to protest against Wellington's inner-city bypass and the treatment of the arts community by the council. Since then, it's evolved into a broad arts magazine covering the experimental arts in New Zealand and beyond.

The latest issue includes articles on Auckland-based Korean artist Hye Rim Lee and Christchurch painter William Dunning, as well as creative writing from Melbourne-based artist Aaron Coyes and a photo essay by Wellington's Louise Clifton.

Inspiration for the magazine began in Taiwan where three of its creators - editor Ron Hanson, designer Mark Hanson and music editor Rowan Laing - spent four years living, teaching, learning Chinese and taking in the chaotic urban environment.

According to Hanson,

Living in Taiwan gave us a kind of freedom to experiment, experience new things and develop a new perspective on where we came from. It pushed us to the limit and stretched our ideas on the world.

After getting a strong reaction to the first issue the team - which also includes designer Carla Schollum - decided to continue developing the magazine. Now it's on sale for the first time at the Unity, Parsons (Auckland) and University book store. It's also sold at the Govett-Brewster and Adam art galleries (as well as a number of small independent businesses including hairdressers, clothing stores and a bicycle shop!).

For more information, contact Ron Hanson on 027 481 9660, send an email to editor_whitefungus@yahoo.com or head over to the very funky website at www.whitefungus.com.