Committed to celebrating bold and diverse art in public spaces and showcasing Sydney’s Inner West for the artistic hub that it is, the Perfect Match Contemporary Art Program returns for it’s third year as Australia’s most collaborative contemporary street art initiative, taking place 5 – 7 August 2016.
Once again playing creative cupid, Inner West Council carefully partners residents, businesses and property owners of the Inner West with visual artists of multiple mediums, transforming walls into works of bold and celebratory art curated by, and enjoyed with, the community. Perfect Match tackles problem graffiti by fostering creative expression in public places.
Returning this year are the likes of Sid Tapia, Peque, oddball illustrator Mulga The Artist, and renowned Jumboist – whose colourful creations transformed the facade of Newtown’s Asylum Seeker Centre into a masterpiece in 2015. Other featured artists include newcomer Alex Lehours, Steven Nuttall, Camo, Nitsua, HA HA and the remarkable Thomas Jackson.
Plus, Perfect Match celebrates some of Australia’s best females artists taking to our streetscapes – with the talents of Mandy Schöne-Salter, Akisiew, Tiera Boo and Capiche – Sydney’s answer to Banksy.
“It has been inspiring to be part of Perfect Match and we are very excited about the result… Projects like these matter to the local community and to the diverse character of our suburbs,” said property owner Elina Braunstein, who met her match with urban street artist Mandy Schoene Salter.
With free events taking place over the weekend, join the artists and the community in celebration. On Saturday 6 August, Sydney’s Stencil Art Prize will join forces with Marrickville Bowling Club to present an afternoon of live art and music, meet artists applying large scale paste-ups, and purchase artworks from the market on Faversham Street.
On Sunday 7 August, discover Camperdown and the art-laden leafy laneways between bustling King Street Newtown and Parramatta Road. Free events will be taking place at Camperdown Park, Camperdown Commons, and local artist Sarah Harvie is holding collaborative workshops for her project Roll With It – where community members will help create a giant inflatable installation in Camperdown Park.
Featured artists include; Sarah Harvie, Alex Lehours, Steven Nuttal, Mulga The Artist, Sid Tapia, Camo, Nitsua, SM3, Thomas Jackson, Akisiew , Peque, Mandy Schoene-Salter, HA HA, Laura Grace, Jumboist, Capiche, Mini Graff, E.L.K, Ears, 23rd Key, Skulk, Camo, Monstery, Tiera Boo, Joshua Smith, Vink, Skull Cap, Syke, Sitt Sitlakone, Shanta, Trugglet, Just Sprayed and more.
Local tours of Inner West’s transformed spaces will also be running throughout the event and include: a guided tour on wheels hosted by Gilbert Grace of ARTcyle; Melinda Vassallo, author of Street Art of the Inner West will take art explorers throughout the Perfect Match transformed streets by bus and walking tours; the Aperture Club will conduct a walking tour with handy tips for budding photographers; and the Camperdown Park Walking Tours will offer the opportunity to meet some of the artists and creatives, historians, architects, gardeners and foodies who have bought to fruition a fantastic new hub of community and lifestyle.
The 2016 Perfect Match Contemporary Art Program runs 5 – 7 August. For more information, visit: www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au for details.
Image: Sid Tapia, Mayking All Things New (supplied)