Laneway gets facelift

By Ashleigh Fielding | posted on September 25, 2020

PUBLIC art is once again flourishing in Albany this week with the creation of five new laneway installations in the CBD.

The project is timed with the city’s Green Skills Sustainable Community Festival and Spring Markets this long weekend on September 25 and 26.

Artists Nat Rad, John Carberry, Jo Taylor and Serena McLauchlan will craft three laneway installations in York Street.

An additional laneway will be decorated with bunting created by the community during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Artist Cody Hulkes’ canvas is the side wall of The White Star on Stirling Terrace.

His inspiration was the story of Jumbo the elephant, who in 1929 ran away from the circus and went on an escapade through town.

Mr Hulkes has designed the mural to be interactive, encouraging people to take a photo with it instead of just a photo of it.

“I’m keeping it bright and fun, especially for the kids,” he said.

“It’s exciting to see the kids get excited about it, because it’s a nice big colourful piece.”

Mayor Dennis Wellington said the City was pleased to reactivate the various laneways.

“Having a number of local artists involved with the long weekend activation is fantastic, and the inclusion of a permanent artwork in the Jumbo mural will allow the community to continue to engage with the Stirling Terrace laneway,” he said.

“It is exciting to be able to put on a pop-up art exhibition in Albany that allows our residents and visitors to enjoy local art at no expense.”