Artists create masterpieces for Borrowed Wall Art Prize

The library is no longer a place just to read books. It has evolved, just as society has and artist George Rose has captured that sentiment in her winning Borrowed Wall Art Prize unveiled.

The library is no longer a place just to read books. It has evolved, just as society has and artist George Rose has captured that sentiment in her winning Borrowed Wall Art Prize unveiled on Thursday.

The Melbourne artist, 30, created Everything Imaginable, responding to Liverpool Council’s idea that the piece capture a modern day contemporary library experience.

“And there is more to libraries than books,” Ms Rose said.

“I wanted to suggest it can be everything you can imagine. Everything you can think of, the library has the potential to be.

Christina Huynh’s ‘Flying Lessons II’ made the finals of the Borrowed Wall Art Prize.

‘The future brings us together’ by Nadia Hernandez was another entry.

“And even if you look at it as a traditional place of storytelling, that draws the imagination.”

At night, the artwork has a neon light element that further pushes the idea to think beyond what one can see.

“The shapes in the piece are the boundaries of the Liverpool Council area and I referenced the colours the council has in its logo and used it as my colour palette.

“I wanted it to be engaging and interesting with shapes and layering.”

Ms Rose said it was an honour being able to travel up and create her work on the 6m by 8.8m wall in the Liverpool Library forecourt.

“When I saw the finalists’ work go up on Facebook, I had a look. It would have been hard to pick the winner,” she said.

Shira Bentley’s ‘Access Points’ was another piece entered into the competition.

Alexander Edema’s piece ‘Lucid Dreams’ was entered into the Borrowed Wall Art Prize.

Taking away $10,000 for the win, Ms Rose said there was a lot more to her creations than winning.

She is currently working with at-risk girls in remote Tasmania through colouring-in workshops to help raise money for a women’s shelter through the organisation Big Hearts.

“It’s definitely been an organic process to get to where I am at the moment, but I don’t think I could possible do anything else with my life. I like to paint walls, I’m happy to do that.”

The artwork will remain at the library forecourt until next year’s Borrowed Wall Art Prize winner is announced and includes a neon light component so it is viewable at night.

Deputy Mayor Tony Hadchiti said Miss Rose’s piece illustrated the bold and lively look they were searching for.