Aramac

Ive struggled in recent months…its been challenging trying to process the continuation of exclusionary practices and incompetence in regards to public arts projects in my area. My ability to focus has been disrupted for sometime knowing historical connections are overlooked, experience means nothing and anything but local is prioritised despite my substantial efforts locally and expertise in community arts being second to none.

In the wake of witnessing overt nepotism and hideous gentrification hurting my eyes, I decided to get a breath of fresh air and leave the latte sipping, paint by numbers, craft making (craft is the abomination of what could have been art) and oh soo trendy creatives on the coast. I travelled to Central Western Queensland with my first stop in Aramac. I have completed almost 30 murals and a bunch of signs in Aramac over the past couple of decades. Commissions include the local school, bowls club, pub, nursery, cafe, library & information centre, multiple food vans and vehicles, memorial park, mechanic, racecourse and even a 140m long tourism mural for Barcaldine Regional Council.

This time around I was commissioned by the Aramac Ambulance Committee to work some magic with the newly renovated thrift shop. The building has a long history and has undergone a complete transformation whilst retaining most of the original architectural details and character. Its great to tell the story and history of the Aramac Ambulance service alongside the new chapter of the thrift shop building.

Despite inclement cold weather the entire process was enjoyable…no fuss. The committee were flexible with options, trusted my expertise and assisted with research. Committee members and the council area manager came to check out the progress and offer support.

The butcher offered Mac dog a huge lamb shank, the cafe provided free coffee and someone rocked up with a carton of beer to cover the balance owing on a previous job. The sparky working onsite turned out to be a student of an arts workshop I facilitated a decade ago in a neighbouring town. I painted a couple of cars on the fly and lined up numerous possible commissions for the next trip.

Friends, familiar faces and people I don’t think I have ever met greeted me with “Hi Sauce” throughout the duration of my stay. Its with a huge amount of gratitude I thank Aramac for once again making me feel welcome and all the great chats, proving that community is still alive…just what I needed. I am looking forward to the store re-opening soon and feel proud to be a part of the new Ambulance Thrift Shop journey.

Capalaba

It was great to be busy on the brushes at Capalaba State College recently. I enjoyed applying artwork for Piranhas Amateur Swimming Club located on the junior campus. Thanks to the P&C for reaching out and enthusiasm throughout the process.

Chinchilla

I stopped by Charleys Creek Brewery in Chinchilla to complete some more hand painted signage recently. The place is bustling with patrons searching for photo opportunities so I took care of some much needed signs and custom artworks. There’s also a bunch on new beers on tap and live music each weekend.

Muttaburra

After delays from cyclones and floods I finally made it back to Mutttaburra, Centre of Queensland. This time I installed a mural for the Dr Arratta Museum display. I began work on the panels in my studio over summer and had a challenging time due to the paint not drying in consistently moist weather on the coast. Completing the panels once installed onsite in outback Queensland to experience the issue of the paint drying before I could get it off the brush in super dry conditions! Despite delays and challenges i’m happy with how it turned out and compliments the space. If you’ve never been to the Centre of Queensland it’s a special place where dinosaurs once roamed, on the land on Iningai peoples and the rivers meet. There’s also plenty of cool fresh air and hot artesian bore water in winter and friendly locals all year round.

Leichhardt

It was great to return to Leichhardt State School in Ipswich this week. This time I completed a mural in the multipurpose centre working alongside the fabulous PBL (positive Behaviour Learning) team. It’s great to see students embrace the school mascot Leo the lion and offer positive feedback towards the new art.

Alexandra Hills

It was great to be back in the Redlands and complete a mural with Alexandra Hills State Primary School who are currently celebrating their 50th anniversary. I was assigned the task of creating an artwork which included the schools new logo and a large amount of hand painted signage. I enjoyed the challenge and have no doubt the artwork will serve for many years to come. Thanks to the staff for making this come to fruition and enthusiasm throughout the project.

Oxenford

The new play area mural is part of a suite of murals completed at Oxenford State School recently. It likely won’t be the last as there’s more in the pipeline however it’s been a pleasure to complete seven sites over the past few years. Oxenford SS provides a great example of how dedicated school staff and a proactive P&C drive projects to benefit the school community.

Murwillumbah

I won’t be attending the upcoming Proudfoots Lane Party in Murwillumbah. Whilst the notion “In Murwillumbah” suggests local content I wander into wonder how we have ended up with such nonsense. You may have seen some murals popping up about town funded by the NSW Government’s Community Improvement District (CID) pilot program Murwillumbah CID $316,666 grant. This project sprouts to be for everyone however in my experience this has not been the case. The project has fallen short in many aspects of project consultation and delivery and is yet another example of a Tweed Shire supported project which has excluded The Sauce Studio.

Since growing up in the Tweed Valley and completing my first mural at the family farm in C. 1989, (and going on to fail art in High School in 1994 in Murwillumbah) I have 25 years professional experience as a full time self employed mural artist and have pioneered many of these types of projects during extensive experience in the community arts sector. Given my dedication to Public Art and murals and ties to the specific locations as detailed and pictured below, It appears either incompetence or exclusionary practices have played a role in this instance. Furthermore, whilst there appears to be some opportunity for local emerging artists, the lack of local content for larger scale works is disappointing. Numerous featured artists commissioned are from outside the area who are described as fresh energy for promotional purposes.

In recent months I was contacted by the event organiser and we discussed workshops and murals. I was informed I would be notified when opportunities to apply were open for murals. I contacted Business Murwillumbah who initially responded and indicated opportunity to work together. I was assured there had been an extensive consultative process prior to my email being blocked and no reply from a follow up web contact from submission on my behalf to maintain communication.

I rented a working studio & gallery space in Proudfoots Lane during 2013/14 where I held 4 solo exhibitions and also created numerous murals in Proudfoots Lane along with facilitating stencil art workshops and participating in community events and involvement in the local business chamber. I had seen designs, signs and a variety of art commissions throughout the Tweed area come to fruition whilst advocating for Murwillumbah to be a cultural hub with this type of project. I assert in this instance I have again been overlooked or excluded given my history with the specific area in conjunction with my professional experience with this type of project being second to none.

In a broader context is disappointing Tweed Regional Gallery and M-Arts haven’t supported local mural artists. This coincides with exclusionary practices by local government which continue to drive talent out of the area. For this reason I complete dozens of murals each year across Queensland each year for schools, business, community groups and local government. I used to be local, now I just live in Murwillumbah.

Chinchilla

Charley’s Creek Brewery in Chinchilla is open with plenty of cold beverages on tap. I am chuffed to continue the art around the campgrounds, complete handpainted signage and more recently paint a feature wall and floor in the brewery. There was a real buzz of energy onsite amongst all of trades and I really enjoyed the chaos of the construction site. The brewery is a story of vision to create a unique attraction for the area and perseverance through delays and more delays. The venture aims to remain a family orientated venue owned and operated by a local family, focussing on local produce. The journey to see the brewery come to fruition is a huge undertaking and I draw inspiration from the dedication and hard work of Steve and Ursula. To be a part of the Charleys Creek Brewery story is an honour and it’s great to see people engage with the art.

Regents Park

Another one from Term 1 at Regents Park State School featuring Wajin the Platypus mascot.