New Murals Breathe Life into Topham Mall

Adelaide City Council has announced a new initiative that will engage artists to create temporary murals at Topham Mall.

A series of curated murals will replace the former ‘free wall’ – originally created in response to the demand for more public art spaces – with the first mural painted on Sunday, August 19 and new murals to be created regularly thereafter.

Adelaide City Council Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood recognised the importance of street art in public spaces.

“Street art adds colour and vibrancy while providing artists with the canvas to make important social or environmental statements,” he said.

“The new Topham Mall murals will give the city’s art community fresh opportunities to showcase their work.”

Carclew Youth Arts was commissioned to undertake the first artwork in the new mural series at this location and engaged professional street artists to mentor three young emerging artists to collectively design and paint the mural.

“We’re excited to have been approached by Council to undertake the first of the mural series at the Topham Mall space and give young artists the chance to contribute to a public work,” said Annemarie Kohn, Carclew’s Public Art Program Manager.

The emerging artists were selected from participants of Carclew’s CANS workshops, a series of free skills development opportunities offered to young artists during May, which explored the techniques and skills of graffiti/street art.

Professional artists Poise, Ishk, KAB101 and Dash will mentor the emerging artists through the process of designing a collaborative mural and around the cultural protocols of undertaking public artwork of this style.

The emerging artists will also use this exclusive opportunity to further develop and refine their techniques while executing a large-scale public artwork.

“This is a positive step for Council and I believe there is a great opportunity for Council to engage members of the graffiti/street art community to curate the space themselves in the future,” said Annemarie Kohn, Carclew’s Public Art Program Manager.

“Empowering aspiring street artists with the skills to develop their aesthetic practice is key to them potentially creating a productive future in the arts.”

For further enquiries about the Topham Mall wall, please contact Adelaide City Council on 8203 7203.

For further information on Carclew public art projects please visit www.carclew.com.au

For further media information regarding the Topham Mall space and mural project please contact Paula Stevens, Media Relations Adviser, Adelaide City Council, on 8203 7760 or P.Stevens@adelaidecitycouncil.com

For further media information about the Carclew mural please contact Allison Kane, Marketing Manager, Carclew Youth Arts, on 8267 5111 or akane@carclew.org.au