THE recent public outcry that followed a Guido Van Helten mural being painted over is proof Newcastle craves more street art according to a local artist and creative consultant.
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Leah Fawthrop was one of the driving forces behind a proposal to turn the empty Newcastle train station into a cross-disciplinary arts hub – much like the Salamanca Arts Centre in Hobart, the Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne, the Canberra Glasshouse, and the Carriageworks in Sydney.
She said Urban Growth had promised to “be in touch” regarding activating the site while they continued community consultation, but given the reaction to the loss of the mural in Newcastle’s west end, Ms Fawthrop thinks now is a good time to re-open the discussion.
“The passion the mural getting painted over ignited – not just in the arts, but more broadly across Newcastle – showed that clearly Novocastrians want more public art,” she said.
“The post I did on the Facebook page about the mural went viral with over 2700 'likes', more than 740 shares and 446 comments.
“I think the opportunity has arisen to really take these ideas forward now.”
Ms Fawthrop and her Newcastle Art Station team are working on a presentation to engage Newcastle City Council, the state government, as well as members of the Property Council and Hunter Business Chamber in a discussion about cultural possibilities for the city.
They want to present ideas and statistics about how cultural tourism has benefited other Australian cities.
“Newcastle is crying out for this kind of activity,” Ms Fawthrop said. “Good planning anywhere around the world includes good cultural spaces.”
Mixed media artist Mark Aylward used to live near Beresford Lane in Newcastle West. Working with Newcastle Now, Mr Aylward painted murals as well as other small projects to liven up the area.
He said there was initially some opposition to the artworks getting painted around the city.
“But now that we’ve got a few around town and people like to look at them, people have changed their tune a little bit. I think it’s great.”
Art lovers across the city of Newcastle were in shock after the Guido Van Helten mural was painted over in charcoal black.
Many took to Facebook to express their dismay.
“No no no. It cant be. Why. What is wrong with people?,” Tara Ember wrote.
“Seriously. This is one of my favourites. Devastating,” Em-Lou Watts said.
The mural, commissioned as part of the Hit the Bricks Festival, was painted by the artist who was named last month as a finalist for the prestigious Sulman Prize.
Hit the Bricks festival director Carl Morgan said he felt “shocked and saddened.”
“It was painted by a world renowned fine artist and we were very lucky to be able to secure him,” Mr Morgan said.
Building owner Brad Allinson said once renovation work was complete they intended to “make this wall available again for public art”.