The Mooroolbark Traders and Community Group proudly announces the commissioning of three new murals as part of the Mooroolbark Street Art Project.
This initiative, funded by a Living Local grant from the Department of Jobs, Skills & Industry and Regions, aims to infuse Mooroolbark with vibrant, locally relevant street art, enhancing the area’s liveability, vibrancy, and cultural heritage.
The three murals include the recently completed collaborative mural led by Melbourne-based Blender Studios, who worked with youth and local police officers to create the cheerful and quirky artwork on Bakehouse Boss in Brice Avenue. The community response has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the success of this initiative in promoting pride and unity within the township.
Set to transform Mooroolbark Library, starting this week on Wednesday 25 October, is a monumental public artwork titled “Yerrin Biik,” which means “Bush Country” in the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung language.
This is a collaboration between Murrup Biik Public Art, an initiative of Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Kim Wandin and Christine Joy, and renowned street artist Jimmy DVate. Yerrin Biik will encapsulate the rich history of Mooroolbark, celebrating its local flora and fauna, while honouring its Indigenous roots and the enduring spirit of its people.
Christine Joy from Murrup Biik Public Arts described why this project is important to the artists.
“Aunty Kim chose to include her great uncle, by four, William Barak to honour his journeys over this land from Coranderrk to the city to advocate for his people,” she said.
“Aunty Kim and I loved the opportunity of working with Dvate because of his enormous talent and his passion for endangered species. …We want people to love and care for Wurundjeri Country. If we fall in love with Country we would never hurt it or take it for granted.”
The third artwork planned will be a tribute to Australian landscape gardening icon Edna Walling and her creation of the picturesque Bickleigh Vale Village in Mooroolbark, which was once her home.
This work will grace Cardigan Cellars just around the corner from Bickleigh Vale and will be project-managed by Juddy Roller Gallery, known for the creation of the rural Victorian Silo Art Trail.
The Mooroolbark Street Art Project team is thrilled to announce that artist David Lee Periera has been selected to bring Edna’s legacy to life and production dates for this work will be confirmed soon.
Residents are invited to witness the creation of these latest works. With the library recently rendered and the undercoat applied, the painting of Yerrin Biik is expected to take over two weeks beginning in late October.
Stay tuned for updates on both of Yerrin Biik and the Edna Walling project as they progress towards production phase by joining the Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/activatingMooroolbark/ or email info@mooroolbark.vic.au to request going on the Mooroolbark Street Art mailing list.
