City of Sydney funded Caesar mural planned for Ultimo sparks mixed reaction from residents

Locals have aired mixed opinions over a Sydney council’s plan to paint a mural on the entire side of an inner city house with some residents fearing it will turn the suburb into a “ghetto”.

A public art debate has erupted in an inner Sydney suburb over a council plan to fund a mural on a blank wall with some locals fearing it will turn the area into a “ghetto” as others call for the funds to instead be spent cleaning up rubbish from local streets.

Ultimo residents have aired staunchly mixed opinions over plans by two street artists Abdul Abdullah and Fintan Magee to create a mural on the entire height of a beige wall of a house on Mary Ann St.

The mural – to be known as ‘Revisionist Statue’ – would remain in place for at least five years and is intended to make a statement on the notions of “imperial empires”.

Plans stated the mural was in line with the City of Sydney council’s art policy and would enhance pedestrian amenity, create “visual interest” and make arts “more accessible to the public”.

An artist statement described the mural as depicting a Caesar sculpture, representing tradition and empire with a blurred effect of the textured glass that “challenges popular perceptions of immutable histories”.

A concept image of what the mural would look like.

“Using playful metaphors, (the mural) calls into question the authority of our traditional narratives,” it states.

“The work reappropriates the iconography of Empire and reclaims it for the artists.”

The proposed artwork has already generated a fair share of critics, including one resident who wrote to the council to say the mural is “outrageous”.

Resident Chris Osbourne questioned why the council was funding and promoting the mural which he claimed would “undermine” Ultimo.

“There many problems in Ultimo – poorly maintained homes, rubbish dumping, rats, noise etc,” he wrote.

“Can you please start trying to help people doing things like this rather than those who want to turn Ultimo into a ghetto of deformed murals.

The mural would be created on the side of an Ultimo terrace.

“I hate this mural and will hate it forever.”

Catherine Barnes has criticised the estimated $45,463 price tag for a mural depicting the Roman general Julius Caesar.

“The subject matter is completely inappropriate for the area and I expect most residents would struggle to understand its meaning or significance,” she wrote.

“If we are spending ratepayers money, the mural needs to have cultural and local significance.”

This blank wall would be transformed for the mural.

Resident Deborah Ryan, in another submission to the council, said it was “horrible and not in keeping with the heritage area”.

Other residents claim it would “undermine” the character of the streetscape which is located in a heritage conservation area and near several other heritage listed buildings.

Submissions suggested also the would be better placed in Glebe or Newtown because Ultimo has a “different vibe that should be treasured”.

“The proposed work is a sop to the prevailing ‘cancel culture’ and the council should not be providing a canvas,” Martin Lancaster wrote.

On the flip side, resident Josh Bates has voiced his support for the project saying it would bring additional character to this area

Thomas Solano also backed the work, believing it will promote local artists and create an “enjoyable and engaging environment”.

If approved, the artwork is expected to take around 17 days to create and would cost $45,463 including $20,000 for artist fees.

A City of Sydney spokeswoman said the mural was commissioned via a competitive process by the council as part of its public art initiatives.

Plans stated the mural is “consistent with the visual language of street art in inner city villages”.

The council spokeswoman encouraged residents to provide feedback on the proposed art work as part of the consultation process.

“The City of Sydney (will) then review the community feedback and address any necessary issues.,” she said.

“As the (proposal) is still under assessment, we are unable to add anything else at this stage.”