Colourful street art to line city’s fabric

CENTRAL Geelong is set to become a canvas of public art with a band of street artists, all women, to give laneways and walls across the city a creative facelift.

The City of Greater Geelong’s $150,000 Street Art Commission Project has attained the service of nine female artists to complete creative works in the city between now and next month.

A selection panel has curated the program to coordinate artists to locations around Little Malop Street, Little Ryrie Street, James Street, Wright Place, Cuzens Place, Minns Lane, and Ryrie Street.

The project aims to strengthen the representation of women artists in street art given it has largely been a male-dominated industry.

The commission will add to the city’s rich Street Art program within the city’s Outdoor Art and Heritage Collection.

The following artists have already been commissioned:
Minna Leunig, Cavalier’s Art Supplies, Wright Place
Jasmine Crisp, Cuzens Place
Ebony Gulliver, Between Ryrie St and Little Ryrie St car park.
Kerrie Poliness, Minns Lane (Piano Bar)
Manda Lane, pedestrian entrance to Civic Car Park on Little Malop/Gheringhap St corner
Jasmine Mansbridge, Totally Smiles on James St
Lucy Lucy, Crest Dry Cleaning on Ryrie St
Viki Murray: various sites around the CBD, and
Baby Guerrilla: column of Civic Car Park on Little Malop St.

Deputy mayor Trent Sullivan said the program was about bringing colour to the laneways and generating jobs for workers in some of the industries hardest hit by the pandemic.

“If you’re out seeing live entertainment or enjoying the fabulous food and wine in Little Malop Street, you’ll be able to spot some amazing artworks from women street artists,” Cr Sullivan said.

“We want to entice people to come and enjoy the free outdoor gallery in Central Geelong.”

Jasmine Mansbridge said she was proud to create a mural on James St spanning almost five metres in height and 18 metres in length.

“The opportunity to paint in Geelong where I have a studio is a privilege and this work allows me to engage with the local community on a greater level,” Ms Mansbridge said.

“The work invites connection creating a meditative and contemplative space for viewers.”

Creative Communities and Culture portfolio deputy chair Cr Jim Mason said the project will create a cultural legacy for Central Geelong.

“Australia has some of the best street artists in the world, so we want to promote their work while increasing foot traffic in the city,” he said.

“We’re creating a network of connected artworks across Central Geelong to help make the city a more fun and vibrant place.”

For more information visit www.geelongaustralia.com.au/publicart/default.aspx.