Southern Cross University alumni paints 10 storey mural on Coolangatta, Gold Coast campus
GUIDO van Helten’s 10-storey masterpiece is halfway there. And the massive photorealistic mural has got to be seen to be believed.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
IT’S the massive mural that has to be seen to be believed.
Painted across 10 stories – that’s 43 metres high – at Southern Cross University in Coolangatta, the photorealistic mural depicts a standing man with his face turned away.
Artist Guido van Helten, who graduated from the university in 2008 after studying a bachelor of arts, has since installed more than 50 large-scale murals across the globe.
“Before starting any large paintings I do a research project in the lead-up, so during orientation week (at SCU) I was meeting different people, exploring ideas and taking photographs at the university and in the community which then developed into a design,” he said.
“This is an interesting site for me to work with as it’s very large and prominent and a bit industrial looking.”
Despite the magnitude of the works, the entire mural, which will soon wrap around a second wall, will only use about 30 litres of paint.
The artist uses a boom to get him up to the dizzying height and a spray gun to paint.
Mr van Helten said the second wall would also depict another person but viewers were encouraged to derive their own meaning from the art piece.
The mural can be seen from the highway and from North Kirra Beach.
Southern Cross University Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker said he had followed Mr van Helten’s artistic exploits and was excited to see his inspiring work finished.
“I predict it will rapidly become an icon of the Southern Gold Coast,” he said.
“This place-making will create a vibrant sense of space and will be visible from the Gold Coast’s scenic coastline.”
The second section of the mural is expected to be completed some time this week.
Premier refuses to reverse cuts to Gold Coast police beats
The Premier has refused to intervene and reopen the Gold Coast’s police beats despite reopening them in other regions. Read why.
‘Keeps getting better’: Huge success for country music festival
Groundwater Country Music Festival has been declared a major success, with officials predicting an $11 million economic boost from the event and an international act telling fans it was “unbelievable”. FULL STORY