List of new public artworks, murals planned in Sydney suburbs
NRL stars, larger than life stingrays, Gucci icons and even the humble potato will be featured in the newest public artworks and street murals set to transform streets across Sydney. See the list:
Central Sydney
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NRL stars, larger than life stingrays, Gucci icons and even the humble potato will be featured in the newest public artworks and street murals set to transform streets across Sydney.
Plans are underway for dozens of distinct artworks aimed at breathing new life into the city’s urban landscape including projects on the sides of private homes, laneways, warehouses and CBD office towers.
Many are in line with council strategies that actively encourage public artwork including projects in the City of Sydney and Inner West Council areas.
We take a look at some of the newest and boldest creations:
DARLINGHURST
Sydney is set to become the location for Gucci’s first and only ‘art wall’ in Australia.
The ambitious project would involve transforming the side of an 18 storey tall building in Darlinghurst with a rotation of murals coinciding with the release of new Gucci collections.
Plans show the art wall would last for up to two years and would be led by Gucci creators collaborating with local artists including David Lee Pereira.
The fashion giant described the art wall as: “developing bold, eye-catching large-scale murals saturated in messages which shine a spotlight on topics such as equality, human rights, global history, gender fluidity, the performing arts, pop culture, redefining beauty standards, diversity, inclusivity, women’s empowerment, environmentalism, fine art, pop culture. And of course, how fashion is tied to all of these issues.”
Reference images from other Gucci art walls around the world show the artworks could resemble images such as Harry Styles wearing a “gender bending” dress alongside Jane Fonda donning “genderless luggage and 100% recyclable clothing,” the plans stated.
Gucci said the project would be a fitting addition to the local area.
“There is no place in Australia like Darlinghurst, particularly Oxford St, and there is absolutely no place in Australia like Kings Cross,” the plans stated.
“The mural artworks will all reflect a utopian ideal; an all-inclusive, ageless, genderless community where everyone feels welcome, celebrated and represented.
“This is a really important message to reinforce for areas such as Darlinghurst and Kings Cross whose people have demonstrated the power of radical acceptance and celebration of diversity since at least as far back as the first Mardi Gras parade.”
The project is being considered by the City of Sydney.
If approved, it would be located on the same wall where Nicole Kidman was recently depicted in promotional street art for the TV Series The Undoing.
GLEBE
Glebe’s growing list of street art is meanwhile set to get a mind-bending addition under plans for a new mural on the side of a St Johns Rd property.
Inspired by the symbology of a labyrinth, the artwork would be created by the team at The Art of the World studio which is behind many other well known Sydney murals including the Haberfield Gardens project.
Plans stated the mural would offer up “new perceptions” and “transform the benign brick wall into a vibrant meditation” space.
“The labyrinth floats in an abstract world made up of colours reflected in the surrounding architecture and natural environment,” plans stated.
“(It would) mesmerise viewers and provoke a deeper sense of belonging and connection.”
Glebe has one of the highest density of street murals in Sydney partly thanks to council strategies supporting artworks including the Glebe Point Road Public Art project.
ERSKINEVILLE
Inner city commuters gazing out train windows could have something new to look at under plans for a new mural in Erskineville.
Located on the side of the Pact building at 107-125 Railway Parade, the Indigenous themed artwork would be created by Jason Wing and Maddison Gibbs, who described the project as being “an acknowledgment to country, on which we meet, live, work and play”.
“The artwork is inspired by layers of local landscapes, bush medicine and healing plants.” the plans added.
More than 30 submissions have already been lodged to the City of Sydney with a majority of comments giving the concept plan a thumbs up.
One local wrote it could “bring colours and life to this otherwise really bland facade” and discourage “unreasonable graffiti” on the building.
BARANGAROO
It’s not just murals set to transform suburbs with Barangaroo set to welcome two very distinct public artworks.
One is called ‘Upside Down Garden’ and features objects such as a flying crab, small potato, a footseat, pineapple and a birdman hanging from the roof of Mercantile Walk.
The $2.8 million project would come complete with sound effects that activate different aspects of the artwork as pedestrians walk underneath.
Sydney artist Jumaadi, who has created the design, said the sculptures draw from botanical, archetypal and mythological worlds and would “create a magical experience, contrasting the bustle of Barangaroo.”
At nearby Exchange Square, a series of 11 giant stingrays are also set to be suspended mid air in a project partly aimed at raising awareness about marine debris.
Each stingray would have a wingspan of 2.8m and would be created with aluminium frames overlaid with woven ‘ghost nets’ – a term given to abandoned industrial fishing nets recovered from the ocean.
Plans stated the project would generate awareness about ghost nests by visually presenting the problem to audiences.
Both projects are currently being considered by the City of Sydney.
REDFERN
Australia’s first female Rugby League player is the inspiration behind the newest street art project planned in Redfern.
Prominent street artist Sharon Billinge has been given approval to create the 4x3.5m artwork that will depict pioneering Rugby player Maggie Moloney, who lived nearby on the corner of James and Morehead Sts.
The City of Sydney has funded the mural under a strategy supporting “increased visibility and understanding of the history, stories and character of the city” through creative projects.
The mural will be created alongside understudy Taleena Simon on the back of the St Vincent de Paul building on Cleveland St.
MARRICKVILLE
In Marrickville, the final brushstrokes have been completed on a new Hellenic inspired mural depicting the Ancient Greek goddess Hestia in the modern context of the Greek migrant story in Australia.
The stunning work was created by artist OxKing – also known as Steven Nuttall – who collaborated with local property owners, residents and Greek community on the design.
OxKing, who is based in Marrickville, said the project pays tribute to “Marrickville’s own rich history of clay, brickworks and pottery.”
The artwork was supported through Inner West Council’s Perfect match program which encourages street artists to transform blank walls across the region.
LANE COVE
It’s not just the inner city where murals are transforming streetscapes with new street popping up across all corners of Sydney.
North of the coathanger, two new murals have revived blank walls in the Lane Cove town centre as part of a project supported by the local council.
One of the works features a nature-themed design incorporating trees, native flora and birdlife.
Located on the rear wall the local Commonwealth Bank branch, the mural was created by award-winning street artist Katherine Gailer, also known as Kaitra.
OTHER MENTIONS
Over in Paddington, a blank wall is set to get a very colourful makeover under plans for a new mural called ‘Spread Love’.
Located on the side of two-stroey terrace, the artwork would be designed by artist Inari and is aimed at contributing to the characteristics of the Oxford St and Paddington area.
“The street art will also reduce tagging and graffiti in the location which improves residential safety,” the plans added.
In Newtown, prominent street artist Tim Phibs has been appointed to replace a mural on the side of 198-200 Australia St.
The proposed design includes a permanent nature theme incorporating trees and birds on the top half of the wall, while the lower half would become a “graffiti wall” for young street artists who would be mentored by Tim Phibs.
In nearby Annandale, concept plans have been released for a larger than life mural on the side of 127 Trafalgar St.
The work would feature a series of cartoon characters walking on the building.
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