Artistic piano strikes a chord

AN ABANDONED piano has been given a new lease of life and spruced up for passers-by at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre.

The “People’s Piano”, which has been painted by Surf Coast artist Ayrlie Lane, will be officially opened for play tomorrow (Friday) in the courtyard between GPAC and the new Barwon Water building, off Aitchison’s Place.

It was made possible by support from GPAC, the City of Greater Geelong’s Arts and Culture Department and The Space Company.

The project is the brainchild of Geelong performer Joel Carnegie, who said the piano was found during preparations for GPAC’s renovation and expansion

“They had this piano lurking down in the basement, and it was never going to be used in concert or performances again, so I said ‘hey, can we grab it and turn it into a people’s piano?’

“It really had no life other than sitting in a dark room, so we thought let’s bring it up and give it its last hurrah.

“Over the week, it’s been really nice seeing people sit down and either play, or just watch Ayrlie paint.”

Lane’s design for the piano is inspired by local birdlife and flora, interspersed by references celebrating Geelong’s diverse music scene.

She said it was the first time using a piano as her canvas, but she had previously painted a cello.

“It’s using a lot of birdlife and wildlife from the region – a lot of it’s from the garden; there are lots of little blue wrens that jump around.”