Street Art

Stencil on Topham Mall by Josh Smith / Photo by Don Brice

 
Artwork by Josh Smith at Topham Mall 2011 Photo: Janice Lally 

Street art adds colour, life and vibrancy to spaces. It gives artists a chance to make important social and environmental statements, or add decorative vitality and humour to dull places.

Adelaide City Council has responded to the demand for more street art by approving some Council-owned property to feature murals. Street art is a form of public art that allows artists to experiment with their skills and techniques, and explore ideas that challenge the public. It can connect communities and generate questions about Adelaide’s future, celebrating the cultural richness of the city.

Mural projects funded in 2011 on Council owned property include projects that involved the following artists :

Peter Drew – coordinated a mural, along with 14 other artists at Topham Mall.
James Dodd – a nationally respected artist, completed the mural on the Western wall of Morphett Street Bridge. 
ABOVE – an international artist who visited Adelaide to mentor local SA artists Chris Edser, Ankles and Tristan Kerr. They worked on the Morphett Street Bridge Eastern wall. ABOVE's specialty is witty typography-based works. This project was coordinated by Josh Fanning and was co-funded by Adelaide City Council and Arts SA.
Seb Humphreys – an Adelaide-based artist with a growing reputation in aerosol and street art, produced a number of murals on the pylons of the Morphett Street Bridge.

In addition to the Street Art special project, Adelaide City Council has an annual Arts and Living Cultures grants program, with a Public Art Grant category that awards grants to artists and arts organisations to produce art projects, many of a temporary nature. These may include street art projects.

Council has developed a guide to help artists understand the logistical and legal procedures that are necessary when creating public art murals. It guides artists through property owner approval, development approval, obtaining a city works permit and advises about public liability insurance.

» Murals: Information Guide

Do you have a free wall that could do with some Street Art?

Noticed some new public art pieces around the city? Wouldn’t mind some street art on your own property? Well Council, in conjunction with the Street Art community, are looking for property owners who would like to donate a wall or space all in the name of public art. While Development Approval is required and artists will need to have a City Works permit, we are here to make this happen. Contact us to register your interest or find out further information.

Street Art Directory 

Morphett Street Bridge Pylons
September 2011
Artist: Seb Humphreys
Photo: Don Brice
An example of Seb Humphrey’s signature green tree murals on the Morphett Street Bridge 

Street Art: Morphett Street Bridge Pylons
Hindley Street Toilet
June 2011
Artist: Jesse Jacobs
Photo: Don Brice
Street Art: Hindley Street Toilet

Corner Elizabeth Street and Franklin Street
June 2011
Title: Camp Wolf Dance
Artist: Jake Holmes, Jake Bresanello, Jason Fox, Matt Stuckey & Peter Drew
Photo: Don Brice

Street Art: Camp Wolf Dance

Under the Bridge - Free Wall
June 2012
A “Free Wall” at the Morphett Street bridge is located under the southern abutment. It is currently available for street artists to create temporary, public works of art in the city’s west end. You can drive by and watch the work evolve on a daily basis.

Don Brice and street art
Morphett Street Bridge East
May 2011
Artists: ABOVE, Chris Edser, Ankles, Tristan Kerr
Coordinated by Josh Fanning
Photo: Don Brice
"We decided to paint a word play on Sticks and Stones to relate the adversities of this wall's rocky surface"
Street Art: Morphett Street Bridge East
Morphett Street Bridge West
May 2011
Artist: James Dodd
Photo: Don Brice
"I like the idea of men in business suits playing childish games and basically enjoying themselves rather than working really hard. I also liked being able to play with the physicality of the space, especially the idea that these characters might actually be rolling down the hill"
Street Art: Morphett Street Bridge West

Topham Mall
April 2011
Fourteen artists including James Cochran, Kate Gagliardi, Jason Koen, Sam Evans, and Josh Smith
Coordinated by Peter Drew
Photo: Don Brice
Topham Mall was conducted as a free art wall from April 2011 to May 2012. 

Street Art: Topham Mall Street Art Gallery
York Street Mural
April 2011
Artists: Frey Mickelthwait and Doris Unger
Photo: Don Brice
Originally planned as a Street Art Gallery, this option was closed down in May 2011
Street Art: York Street Mural

 

Website Survey

Hi,
We want to improve our website and service to you, help us by completing the survey.
We value your opinions and your details will remain anonymous.