Epic street art murals, artist workshops and a live stream – it’s all happening this weekend, 8 and 9 August, for the Brisbane Street Art Festival Ipswich program.
Here’s what you need to know about this exciting event.
What it’s all about
This year is the first time Ipswich has been included in the popular Brisbane Street Art Festival.
The annual festival welcomes artists from around Australia and the world to join the vibrant local street art community and celebrate creativity in public space.
Seven large-scale street art murals are being painted in Ipswich Central for the festival and are the first step in creating a street art trail for the city.
There are also socially distanced workshops to help local artists connect and develop their skills and a livestreamed Swich Up Party from Studio 188, featuring Brisbane Street Art Festival artists and local bands.
The event was originally planned for May but had to be reshaped and rescheduled because of COVID-19.
A work previously done by artist STYNA.
Who is painting the murals
Ipswich welcomes an exciting line-up of national and internationally renowned artists for the festival. Artists painting in Ipswich are:
Fintan Magee: Magee is a Sydney based social realist painter, specialising in large-scale murals. His earlier large-scale paintings often inhabited the isolated, abandoned and broken corners of the city, and today are found all over the world.
Gus Eagleton: Eagleton paints intuitive compositions using a considered colour palette. He manipulates light and shadow unrealistically and romantically, painting with velocity and magnetism while simultaneously painting pieces that embody a dreamlike feeling.
Emily Devers: Devers is both a contemporary painter and director of The Third Quarter Gallery. Devers has always been driven to combine the faithful representation of objects and environments through realism and the subsequent abstraction of these through abstract mark making.
Ash Taylor: Taylor is an emerging Australian muralist. Her practice explores abstract, botanical and figurative forms to create works with a curious and whimsical style.
Artist Gus Eagleton with his mural in Port Kembla. Image courtesy: Luke Shirlaw and BSAF.
Jordache: Jordache specialises in high impact, large scale murals. He is one of the founders of Mayne Line – a creative collective open studio gallery in Albion.
STYNA: Christina Huynh is an illustrator and artist based in Western Sydney. Storytelling and the heritage of a place are some elements that influence and inspire her work.
Rachael Sarra: Sarra is a contemporary Aboriginal artist and designer whose work is an extension of her being and experiences. Sarra uses art as a powerful tool in storytelling to educate and share Aboriginal culture and its evolution.
Where you can see the murals
Painting started in late July. On the weekend of 8 and 9 August, the community can connect with artists on-site at their walls. Six of the seven murals will be available for viewing.
They are at the following locations:
- Limestone St Centre, Ipswich (Facing South Street). Artist: Fintan Magee.
- Ipswich Art Gallery, d’Arcy Doyle Place. Artist: Emily Devers.
- Circa 160 Dancing Bean, 164 Brisbane Street. Artist: Ash Taylor.
- Icon Alley, 34 Nicholas Street. Artist: Gus Eagleton.
- Fire Station 101, 101 Limestone Street. Artist: Jordache.
- Studio 188, 188 Brisbane Street. Artist: STYNA.
The largest wall in the city, painting by local contemporary Aboriginal artist Rachael Sarra will then start on 10 August at Ipswich Health Plaza (visible from East Street).
Let’s keep everyone safe: Coming along to view the completed walls? Social distancing is very important and everyone’s responsibility. Ensure you and your household group maintains a 1.5m distance from the artists and other street art enthusiasts at all times. If you are unwell or showing flu or cold like symptoms, stay home.
What some of the artists are saying
Rachael Sarra: “Having the opportunity to create work in the city I’ve grown up in is really exciting. It’s great to be able to see art and culture reflected in our communities”.
Ash Taylor: “(My mural) is about mental health, which I think is quite fitting right now. I want it to remind people to just take a moment and breathe when it all gets too much”.
How else you can get involved
Check out the murals by day, then sit back and enjoy the Swich Up Live-Stream from 5pm to 8pm on Saturday, 8 August.
The stream is being broadcast from Studio 188 featuring live artist interviews, performances by local musicians Feelsclub and Taleena Peck and a live Scribble Slam art battle.
Viewers can watch live from the comfort of their home on the @Ipswichfestivals Facebook page or via live streaming platform Twitch at twitch/supord
How the event benefits Ipswich
The benefits from Ipswich’s involvement in the Brisbane Street Art Festival don’t end this weekend, they will continue to be felt for years to come.
“The program will not only provide important networking and development opportunities for Ipswich artists but also deliver seven world-class, large-scale public murals for our community,” Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said.
“These murals are the first step to creating a street art trail that showcases the work of our artists and enhances the vibrancy of our city.
“We have a lot more work to do as a council to support the creative sector, but we’re committed to engagement and developing arts and culture opportunities across the city.”
Who is presenting the event
The Brisbane Street Art Festival Ipswich program is presented by Ipswich City Council in partnership with the Regional Arts Development Fund, Coates Hire and Dulux.
The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Ipswich City Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
Where you can get more info
Can’t get enough and still want more info about Brisbane Street Art Festival Ipswich?
Check out these pages for more information:
Website: https://www.ipswichfestivals.com.au/brisbane-street-art-festival/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IpswichFestivals/
Instagram: @Ipswichfestivals
