Christmas comes to life in new street art installation

When artist Garth Jankovic moved to Townsville in 1993 he couldn’t have predicted he would ever be transforming street murals into moving digital art.

When artist Garth Jankovic moved to Townsville in 1993 he couldn’t have predicted he would ever be transforming street murals into moving digital art.

“In 1993, I was 18 or 19 and everything was so heritage here, I couldn’t see how anything could have been cutting edge in Townsville,” Jankovic said.

Now Jankovic is putting the finishing touches on his first augmented reality mural, Girroogul and the Soap Tree, which he originally painted in 2016.

Visitors to the mural will be able to see the artwork come to life using augmented reality through a QR code on their phone or tablet.

Townsville City Council’s Community and Cultural Development Committee chairwoman Ann-Maree Greaney said the augmented reality project would revolution­ise the way people of all ages engaged with Townsville’s Street Art Trail.

Hip hop singer and street artist Garth Jankovic has painted more than 1000 murals over the world and was one of the first street artists in Townsville. Photo: Fiona Harding

“Council was looking for ways to create immersive experiences and involve people more through new technology this Christmas and on the back of COVID, which has forced us to think differently about events, which typically attract large crowds,” she said.

“We are always looking for ways to make art more exciting for community and visitors, and this is a great way for council to add to the experience of established street art in Townsville.”

The augmented reality project rolls out across Townsville’s CBD on Friday, November 27.

For more information about Townsville’s street art, head to townsville.qld.gov.au/streetart.

Originally published as Christmas comes to life in new street art installation