New Toowoomba Grand Central street art mural by Matt Adnate to change youth crime narrative

A world renowned artist, who has scaled buildings as high as 25 storeys, is set to leave his mark on Toowoomba with a street art project designed to unite the community, celebrate NAIDOC Week and discourage youth offending.

By the end of the week a mural designed to celebrate Indigenous culture and unite the community will be installed in the heart of Toowoomba’s CBD.

Australian artist Matt Adnate, who has painted large scale murals across the globe, started the new Toowoomba project on Monday, using the side of Grand Central Shopping Centre as his blank canvas.

The 10 by 5-metre piece will feature a young Indigenous girl, whose identity will remain anonymous.

Artist Matt Adnate in front of his portrait of a young Indigenous boy on Spencer St. Picture: Michael Klein

“I grew up as a white kid and don’t have any Indigenous blood, but for me I’ve always felt passionate about this and I’ve had elders brought to tears in front of my walls,” Mr Adnate said.

“This (mural) is about acknowledging them, giving them a voice in a city where they might be marginalised or not heard and spreading a message of joy and hope to the community.”

Originally from Melbourne, the artist who uses aerosol and acrylic paints, will complete the project from a Spider Lift – a fearless notion for someone who has previously painted murals while raised 25 storeys high.

Set to be completed on Thursday, it marks his second portrait of an Indigenous person in Toowoomba, with the first calling 49 Neil St home since 2015.

Mr Adnate previously worked in the juvenile justice system teaching art classes to young offenders in Victoria.

Matt Adnate with his four 30m high silo artwork in the Victorian Wimmera wheat town of Sheep hills in late 2016. Picture: David Geraghty / The Australian

“Youth crime has been an ongoing issue since the dawn of time,” Mr Adnate said.

“When you sit down with them and work with these young people you realise they’re really good people who often get caught up in bad situations.”

The project is lead by Adapt Mentoring co-founders Adam and Suzie Wenitong and funded by CatholicCare.

Mr Wenitong said while the initiative would celebrate NAIDOC Week, it was also a timely reminder to change the narrative surrounding youth crime in the area.

“Since the crime forum the community is a bit fragmented but we find these street murals really unite everyone and will hopefully create some healing between Grand Central and the young Indigenous people coming through the centre,” Mr Wenitong said.

“We believe this particular mural will also create important conversations around respect for women and the Indigenous culture.”

Originally published as New Toowoomba Grand Central street art mural by Matt Adnate to change youth crime narrative