Top urban artists create giant murals on hoardings at historic Nylex clock site at Cremorne

Ugly construction hoardings at Cremorne’s landmark Nylex site have been transformed by five globally renowned street artists — and one had an unusual Melbourne inspiration for their mural.

Artist Mysterious Al poses in front of his artwork at Nylex site. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

At a major inner city building site, it’s a case of the eyes have it.

Huge murals featuring a pair of eyes and other objects have been created on fencing at the historic Nylex site in Cremorne.

Developer Caydon commissioned five globally renowned urban artists to paint artworks covering 120sq m of hoardings.

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Mike Maka’s mural at the Nylex clock construction site in Cremorne. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Artists Michael Peck, Mike Maka, Minna Leunig, Mysterious Al and Tom Gerrard each contributed a mural measuring 2m high and 12m wide.

Maka said that his concept for the eyes painting “evokes the original colours and flora of the site and the eyes gaze into the future”.

UK-born artist Mysterious Al became fascinated with fruit bats when he moved to Melbourne.

Artist Mysterious Al poses in front of his fruit bats artwork. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“Thousands of them making their journey down over Richmond, past the MCG to the Yarra River on summer evenings,” he said.

“I love them, fruit bats are a very Melbourne thing to me.”

Caydon principal Joe Russo said the artworks were a temporary installation, but may be auctioned off or displayed in what will be The Malt District redevelopment on the site.

An aerial rendering showing how the completed Malt District redevelopment of the Nylex clock site by Caydon is expected to look.

“The artists have been inspired by Cremorne’s industrial heritage and its unique residential and commercial architecture, as well as its connection with the Yarra River and nearby parks and gardens,” he said.

Murals have previously been painted on the silos propping up the iconic Nylex clock, and this year urban arts festival Untold was held in one of the old malt buildings.

The Malt District residential and commercial project will include restoration of the clock.

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