NEWS DESK
Art wall reality for Galaxy not far away WHILE officialdom tries to draw a line under the spread of graffiti, private enterprise has its own way of dealing with paint splattered walls. David and Anita Hilet of Hastings-based printing firm Galaxy Print & Design, decided to enlist the help of self-confessed (but now reformed) graffiti tagger Michael “Mikey” Newman, to do a bit of signwriting and art on the side of their Reid Pde factory. The large wall facing the Frankston-Stony Point railway line was an eye catching fixture, but for all the wrong reasons. Its duck egg blue colour had been irresistible to graffiti taggers wanting to make their mark. Judged to be unsightly, the Hilets contacted Mr Newman with a view to creating some real art on their wall, incorporating signage for their business and taking out some insurance against his efforts being defaced. Last week the new mural took shape, with Mr Newman carrying out the artwork specified by Galaxy and some young graffiti taggers being asked to help and contribute art of their own. “They created quite a bit of interest, with people stopping throughout the day to see what was going on,” Anita Hilet said. Mr Newman, of Langwarrin, managed to contact the young graffiti “artists” through social media. “I reached out and found one taggers, told him what I was going to do and asked if he wanted to help,” he said. “I took him through the process and gave him part of the wall, his space.” Mr Newman said taggers in Hastings were limited in finding spaces and sometimes placed themselves in danger by climbing onto roofs. “They actually need spaces top improve their artistic skills. Other kids came to watch.” Mr Newman, who does most of his commissioned work in Melbourne, said taggers respected murals and left them alone.
Art mix: Michael “Mikey” Newman , left, has mixed graffiti and art on the factory wall of a printer at Hastings in a bid to involve taggers and avoid a repetition of the previous unsightly “art” that covered the wall, below. Pictures: Yanni
However, because the Mornington Peninsula had many towns taggers were isolated and “don’t get to learn the code”. While painting murals earns some income, Mr Newman is a house painter by trade. The murals are often designed to clean up illegal tags and often include
OPEN NIGHT
business names, as in the Galaxy job. “I used to be a tagger, until I was 18, but copped a couple of hefty fines which really put me back,” Mr Newman, 40, said of his early days in Queensland. Contact Mr Newman at spraycanart21@yahoo.com.au Keith Platt
$200,000 SCULPTURE COMMISSION
April 20th 5pm - 7pm
Expressions of interest are invited for the Destination Rosebud – Gateway Sculpture commission.
TBS
TBS
Where students aspire....
Mount Erin College warmly welcomes you to visit our school. We pride ourselves on offering rich and challenging academic programs and opportunities. Our $9m Stage One Buildings opened in 2015 providing our students with state-of-the art, 21st century facilities and a stimulating, flexible learning environment. Excellent results in 2015 show Mount Erin College continues to be a high performing school in the region and validates the dedication of the school to provide success for every student.
The evening will begin in our new Auditorium for a brief presentation before a tour of the Design, Art, Technology and Science building (The DATS Centre.) Session A: 5.00pm Session B: 5.45pm Bookings can be made on line via the College Website, alternatively contact the college office on 5971 6000 to make a booking. College tours are held on Tuesdays 10.30am and Fridays 9.10am
We warmly invite the community to tour the College Mount Erin College. Robinsons Road, Frankston South. Ph: 5971 6000 | F: 5971 1421 | E: mount.erin.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au W: www.mterin.vic.edu.au
PAGE 6
Western Port News 12 April 2016
TBS
The artist will design, fabricate and install a landmark public art work comprising two elements that mark the western and eastern entrances to Rosebud. Shortlisted artists will be invited to submit bold, contemporary and innovative concepts for a public art work connecting Rosebud with its history.
Closing: 19 May 2016, 3:00pm Artist brief and Expressions of Interest: 2133 documents can be downloaded from www.mornpen.vic.gov.au under Our Shire / Tenders from the 9th April 2016. The Destination Rosebud project is supported by the Victorian Government.