I live in Ballarat, a regional town of Victoria, Australia and I must say that I am starting to love living here – as a an artist. I did the ‘tree change’ from Melbourne to Ballarat in 2000, because I love the history here, and the property I live on is beautiful. However, not much was happening in the ‘art’ scene at the time – but in the last few years that has been changing rapidly!
In recent years artists in Ballarat have stood up to be counted – Facebook pages have been launched, art groups have been funded, artist registries have been created and council committees have been re-invigorated!
It has been amazing!
The most recent initiative, a public art exhibition, funded by the City of Ballarat, via the City of Ballarat Public Art Committee (PAAC) entitled What Lies Beneath officially opened on March 28th to a huge crowd of art enthusiasts. The exhibition features images from eighteen artists (including myself) printed on a commercial product – Earth Wrap, a non-slip aluminium backed pavement product normally used for commercial signage or safety applications. This exhibition is the first time it is being used in a public art context.
Julie Collins, Ballarat Public Art Co-Ordinator and the curator of the show was inspired by an existing public art piece in Police Lane and Alfred Deakin Place entitled The Goanna Totem designed by Dianna Nikkleson. The goanna image is impressed into the pavement and recalls the indigenous history of Ballarat. The participating artists in What Lies Beneath were asked to create an image that explore what lies beneath the surface – physical or metaphysical. The response from participating artists was diverse – from the literal presence of minerals, water or archaeological fragments beneath the surface through to the more abstract notions of listening to the Earth.
Another new initiative present in this exhibition is the presence of QR codes with each image, allowing an interactive experience for the viewer who can scan the QR code with their smart phone and learn more about each individual artist.
As an exhibition that incorporates these original notions into the viewers experience, it is well worth checking out if you in or near or visiting Ballarat. It is at the Backyard Gallery in Alfred Deakin Place until 5th May 2013.
It is such a great initiative – both locals and tourists started noticing it, especially on the weekends! Great idea, one of many creative uses of public spaces in the future I hope.. Chalk Street Art – I’d love to see it happening soon too.
Posted by Aldona Kmiec Art Photography | April 7, 2013, 4:57 pmThanks for stopping by Aldona 🙂
Yes, chalk art would be good… lots of it Europe!
Posted by Dawn Whitehand | April 7, 2013, 7:18 pmI think the “what Lies Beneath” exhibition is fantastic. Innovative and here in Ballarat. I agree with Dawn that Ballarat is buzzing artistically.
Posted by Lynden Nicholls | April 8, 2013, 4:26 pmI like your artwork on the commercial product – “Earth Wrap” ( guess I learn something new everyday). PS: but, would like to see it close-up to get a better view.
Posted by Mary Gilmartin | April 9, 2013, 11:19 amHi Mary… thanks. Yes closeups would be good, I guess at the time (which was during the opening) I was trying to capture the overall effect. I will try to get some close ups though 🙂
Posted by Dawn Whitehand | April 9, 2013, 1:13 pmPlease let me know if you’re looking for
a article author for your site. You have some really good posts and I feel I
would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please shoot me an e-mail if interested. Kudos!
Posted by seo | June 23, 2014, 11:18 pm