powerful public art

Let's be honest - a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for any room in the house, it can transform a dull and dreary space into a whole new world. But what if we take this idea and apply it to the streets? 

Public art is a powerful tool that not only redefines our cities but brings people together, sparks conversation, and encourages us to put down our phones and engage with something meaningful.

And let's not forget the impact it has on the community. For areas that have been neglected and run down, a splash of colour can make all the difference. Public art can lift people's spirits, bring a sense of pride to the locals, and even inspire positive change.

The best part? Public art is not just aesthetically pleasing, but it can also be thought-provoking, confrontational and powerful. It can make a statement without saying a word, and it can give voice to the people. Hand-painted murals, in particular, have a way of capturing our attention and holding it.

This impressive public display of visual goodness becomes a talking point amongst locals that pass by it everyday, leading to the piece being shared over social channels and even hitting the news. The hype ultimately leads to increased foot traffic in the area, which really benefits the local businesses. In other words: public art can help put an area on the map. As well as economical and aesthetical benefits, public art holds purpose.

Commissioned by the City of Parramatta, Claire Foxton transformed this wall by injecting life (wildlife in fact) into what was once a daunting amount of blank and boring square metres.

One particularly talented street artist that has gained worldwide press coverage and praise is Manchester based artist Akse. 

Akse specialises in hyperrealistic portraits focusing on subjects within the world of sport, music, television and nature. But arguably his most well known and poignant work is on real issues that people relate to and feel connected to. His giant mural portrait of England footballer and people’s champion Marcus Rashford MBE (completed in collaboration with local street art project Withinton Walls), rightly gained a lot of coverage on the news and across social media in the midst of the 2020 pandemic. The young sporting legend was listed a hero due to his efforts to help tackle child food poverty, and at a time when there was so much going wrong in the world, this mural was a welcome reminder of the importance of being kind and helping others.

The embedded quote “Take pride in knowing that your struggle will play the biggest role in your purpose” was provided by Marcus Rashford’s mother.

The artwork was unfortunately defaced shortly after Rashford missed a penalty in the euros penalty shootout in July 2021, this vandalism consisted of racist abuse and profanities all over the mural. However, the reaction from the locals of the Withington area was further proof of how public art binds communities together and influences a sense of solidarity. As seen above; hundreds of positive messages were stuck on to the wall and surrounding areas to cover up the hateful slurs that littered the Rashford tribute. This was a real demonstration of strength in numbers and love conquering all when it comes to a small minority attempting to taint a good thing.

Public art doesn’t necessarily have to have messaging attached to it, or be political in any way to be powerful. The power within a piece of art can purely come from the beauty of it and the creativity of the artist. For example the colourful image above is something non-political, truly beautiful and creatively inspiring. A stunning mural created by Gus Eagleton, brightening up the area of Runaway Bay.

Blank Walls Founder and lead artist Jerome Davenport aka Ketones6000 recently worked on an epic project which saw him scaling two jaw droppingly huge water tanks and had him covering a total of 1600m2 worth of blank canvas. This commission came from the Shire of Ashburton and the result of the ten week’s worth of painting will see a positive impact of cultural tourism and hopefully inspire commissions of a similar ilk in new and similarly untouched areas.

This link shows a deeper look into this project, have a peek.

The reaction to high level public art and the coverage that these murals receive on a global scale just shows how vital it is to society. Public art is now, more than ever, a key part of modern life and is also a key component. It can be so many things: a catalyst for positive change, a political statement, a voice for the people, a way to raise awareness, a tribute to our personal heroes and to those who have passed. 

It can be a way to help communities celebrate, thrive and even survive the most testing of times. Public murals can be there to put smiles on faces and bring a sense of hope for anyone that sees it.

There is always an opportunity to give somewhere or something a lick of paint, and when done correctly it can be a very powerful thing.