JackJumpers star Jack McVeigh celebrated in new mural ahead of hotly-anticipated final in Hobart
Tasmania JackJumpers star Jack McVeigh has been immortalised in a new mural by two Tassie basketball-loving street artists following his epic game-winning shot. WHERE TO SEE IT >>
Tasmania
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Tasmania JackJumpers star Jack McVeigh has been immortalised in a new mural by two basketball-loving street artists following his epic game-winning shot.
Artist Joel Imber got the idea for the mural after feeling the excitement as his family jumped around their living room as they watched the JackJumpers secure their second win of the final series against Melbourne United in Melbourne on Sunday, a close contest which was won in the final seconds thanks to a seemingly-impossible half-court shot by McVeigh.
Mr Imber enlisted fellow artist Rhys Williams to help with the project and together they have created an inner-city shrine in Hobart’s Bidencopes Lane to pay respect to McVeigh and his fellow JackJumpers ahead of Thursday night’s hotly-anticipated finals Game Four at MyState Bank Arena.
A win on Thursday night would mean the JackJumpers take out the best-of-five finals series to be crowned NBL champions on home soil, the ultimate dream for the franchise and its passionate fans.
Mr Imber, 41, is a youth worker who runs creative community projects through his organisation Create Crew, while Mr Williams, 31, works as a full-time mural artist.
“Like many kids in the 90s, I grew up playing basketball and following the Tassie Devils and going to games,’’ Mr Imber said.
“With my family I’ve been able to go and check out a few JackJumpers games and experience the atmosphere. And watching the last half of that game on TV, and seeing that last shot there for the comeback was just so inspiring.
“That experience, and the whole team, is quite symbolic of never giving up.
“When you paint murals it’s often to do with dedication, to express yourself and have a message in there.
“And it just made sense to do our part to help celebrate and pay respect.’’
The men started the mural on Monday and finished it on Tuesday.
Mr Williams created lifelike images of McVeigh, while Mr Imber took care of the text.
The artwork is on a legal wall in arrangement with Vibrance, an organisation that supports Tasmanian creatives.
It can be viewed any time, but ideally after 6pm when there are less cars in the laneway.
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