Tempe Public to Live to Create

Tempe Public to Live to Create
Image: Nathan Dawson's artwork from the 'Fukuoka Now' exhibition

Tempe Public School students created a mural last week in an initiative designed to curb illegal graffiti.

As part of Marrickville Council’s Live to Create initiative and under the guidance of artist Nathan Dawson, students completed the mural over three days with airbrushing.

Mr Dawson, an accomplished artist in the media with watercolour, pen and airbrushing, has had his work exhibited in the Tokyo National Art Gallery and at the National NIKA Art and Design Awards.

“I have done murals and also shop signs before, but this was my first at a school working collaboratively with children,” said Mr Dawson.

“We emphasised the difference between street art and graffiti, and explained to the children what the design was and what their jobs were.”

The revitalisation of a previously out-of-bounds area at the school is part of a series of Council-informed activities designed to inspire local youth to engage with alternative artistic practices, while discouraging illegal graffiti.

Live to Create is funded by Council and the Attorney General’s Department Proceeds of Crime Act, and run by Council in partnership with the Marrickville Youth Resource Centre.

Marrickville Mayor Jo Haylen said Live to Create is an “exciting opportunity for both local artists and Marrickville’s young people”.

“Live to Create is one of our more innovative approaches to the issue [of graffiti],” she said.

Council’s Alternative Approaches to Graffiti Management Program advocates a proactive approach to unwanted graffiti management through education, prevention and developing alternative and legal avenues for creative expression in a public space.

“Local kids can learn how to produce, design and create works of artistic excellence from experienced artists,” said Ms Haylen.

“We want our community to be vibrant and creative. This is a great outlet for young people as it shows them how to create urban art safely and legally.

“[Street art] adds to the vibrancy of our streets and lane ways, and brings visitors to Marrickville too.”

Mr Dawson said: “It’s an outlet that is expressive, easy to see and it’s also legal.”

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