Ex-councillor shames mural painted in memory of young family
A mural painted in the wake of the tragic deaths of Katherine Leadbetter and Matt Field has been publicly shamed.
Redlands Coast
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A mural painted in tribute to parents-to-be Katherine Leadbetter and Matty Field and their unborn son Miles has been publicly shamed by a former Redland City Councillor.
Former Division 9 councillor Paul Gleeson shared an image of the mural today, painted in honour of the young family after their tragic deaths in Alexandra Hills last month, commenting on its impact.
“Now, I don’t profess to knowing much about art but what’s your opinion of the ‘tribute mural’ at the Redshop?” he said.
“This was being done for Matt, Kate and their unborn baby, Miles, the victims of the horrific Aust Day crash.
“Yay or nay?
“To me, it looks more like a gay pride sign rather than a tribute to a tragic event.”
The jarring comments come after local artist Brooke, who witnessed the start of the on-road mayhem that would ultimately claim the lives of the couple she knew, dedicated days to the mural — located at the scene of the tragedy at the corner of Finucane and Vienna roads — to restore a sense of “love and respect” to a community in mourning.
On the same day that Ms Leadbetter, Mr Field and their son Miles were laid to rest, Brooke told Quest News she had an overwhelming urge to help “in the only way she knew how”.
The young artist had invested herself in the mural, with assistance from Redland City Councillor for Division 8 Tracey Huges.
The artistic attempt at creating a salve for the terrible hurt experienced at the intersection in Alexandra Hills also has the backing of the owner of the building it is painted on.
Currently under renovation the shop - in years gone by colloquially known as the Red Shop - has played host to hundreds of mourners laying teddy bears and flowers.
Brooke on Monday was happy to share that teddy bears would feature as motif in the mural.
EARLIER:
An artist who witnessed the initial crash allegedly caused by a 17-year-old male high on drugs in a stolen ute has returned to the scene to bring the community together with a mural to three lives lost.
The poignant artistic effort at healing and remembrance comes as the funeral for Kate Leadbetter, Matt Field and the couple’s unborn son Miles was held yesterday at Iona College.
Colloquially known as the Red Shop in years gone by, the former convenience store at the corner of Finucane and Vienna roads in Alexandra Hills has attracted hundreds of mourners placing cards and teddy bears since the devastating events on Australia Day.
In an effort to help in the only way she knows how local artist Brooke brought paint materials and an overwhelming urge to help heal a wound seemingly felt around the nation.
Not only did Brooke know Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field, she was witness to the initial crash allegedly caused by the teen, now charged with murder.
“It has had a big effect on me and being an artist at heart I wanted to repair the graffiti and damage that was on the shop near the mural,” Brooke said.
“I didn’t have a phone at the time of the crash (to help) and this is the only way I can give back”.
The selfless act has been mirrored by store owner Maria Mu who responded without hesitation to allow Brooke to bring her artistic vision to the storefront, now marred by tragedy.
The aesthetic gesture has already seen an outpouring of support from locals and commuters stopped at the intersection.
“I think people will have more of a sense of community with the mural, knowing that so many people have been affected; we are all connected and hopefully it will help us show others more love and respect,” Brooke said.
“Heaps of people have been yelling feedback from their cars; I think everyone in the area is loving it.”
Redland City Councillor for Division 8 Tracey Hughes couldn’t hide the emotion when relating the depth of feeling experienced by the community.
Cr Hughes has assisted Brooke with her artistic endeavour and said it was a coming together of minds when she urged teddy bears as a motif for the artwork.
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The councillor said the young artist was already set on the very same thought.
It comes after hundreds of teddy bears were left in remembrance of Miles and his family.
The mural is “a work in progress” and will take some days to complete.
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