This project concept was born during the dark days of lockdown one, 2020 - a time which gave us time to regroup and think of some new concepts which we can contribute to the community.
This particular pilot, looks to develop a new art trail experience in the townships positioned along the rolling hills of South Gippsland.
The existing Dennis Lerversha murals dotted throughout South Gippsland have educated and charmed the region for the past 20 years. We wanted to continue these efforts with a fresh approach to public art curation, connecting visiting artists with the next generation; encouraging community participation and creative learning.
The project aims to not only revive spaces and contribute to place-making, but provide the youth in the townships with an opportunity to learn more about the creative process in idea shaping, and share the mural design process.
The purpose of the project and the murals is to enhance public spaces, expose our youth to a variety of creative practices, engage and excite the arts community and locals in general.
The first stage of the project takes part in the townships of Toora and Korumburra who will welcome two new public art works by renowned artists Kaff-eine, Ghostpatrol and Bonsai, who each have extensive international experience exhibiting in galleries as well as producing large scale murals and public art within communities.
David “Ghostpatrol” Booth in collaboration with Bonsai, connected with Year 9 students of Korumburra Secondary School and drew from local inspiration to develop their design for the mural. The Borough Dept. Store is known for providing a space for local produce, dairy, wine, cakes and flowers - kindly offered its 1930s-era building exterior wall for the mural.
Toora Primary School has actively engaged support for the project to help provide their gym facility with a fresh coat by artist Kaff-eine. Kaff-eine is drawing inspiration from nearby Snake Island; her mural is sure to engage the Toora community in a re-imagining of the cattle muster at low tide presented in her signature stylised characters. As part of the Toora Primary School program, students will participate in a ‘paint by numbers’ project, in turn reinvigorating their existing sports space.
The impact of this project will immediately bring attention to the region and the nature which it surrounds - encouraging cultural tourism, opportunity for talks, workshops, events and provide a sense of community pride.
“I’m really proud to be providing some positivity and colour to my home region, and introducing the kids to some of the worlds best artists.
Whilst we have received some funding to cover artist, photographer and operation costs, to ensure the pilot could happen, The Social Crew personally completed all of our services and expenses pro-bono for the community.
The intention attract further funding which extends the trails across more townships in the South Gippsland region”.
Belinda Collins, Creative Director.
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DATES + LOCATIONS
Ghostpatrol and Bonsai
Radovick Street, Korumburra
(behind The Borough Dept. Store)
David “Ghostpatrol” Booth first made a name for himself on the walls of Melbourne’s laneways. Working with ephemeral techniques, by 2007 Booth had built an international reputation and fanbase as a street artist. But Booth’s practice, grounded in a passion for drawing and sketching, has always been split between ephemeral works — street-based works, as well as temporary sculptural and installation works — and works on paper and linen. As a result, Booth sees his practice as floating between the worlds of fine art, commercial design, fan service, large mural painting and commercial collaboration.
Bonsai is an artist based on the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria. He has used his many years of working as a mural painter together with his love of design, nature and geometry to distill a style that is very much his own. Bonsai’s work knows no bounds - mural painting, illustration, product design, interior design, building design, you name it - he has applied his craft to it and made it his own.
Kaff-eine at Toora Primary School
5 Harriet Street, Toora
Kaff-eine is an Australian artist who makes art, film and social impact projects with communities worldwide, inviting audiences to engage with social and political issues. She has built an international following for her paintings, which include photo realistic portraiture and stylised characters loaded with symbolism and narrative.
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The project is designed, curated and produced by The Social Crew.
Supported by South Gippsland Shire Council Community Grants Program, RATCH Australia, Carman’s Kitchen and Resene Paint.
Photos credit: Nicole Reed Photography.