Aftermath

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I am excited to announce that I am a finalist in the Jamestown Mural Festival! The competition will take place in September and I will be traveling to South Australia to paint my mural based on the theme given by the organisers, Earth Under Stress. My miniature conceptualizes a bleak future existance. If we don’t change the way we treat our planet, we just might have a bleak future

Aftermath is an expression of post-modernity, depicting the stress humans placed on the natural environment. In the background, an abandoned city crumbles, while lights blink on the nuclear reactors. Three figures in foreground clearing the waterways represent the last hope for survival with an attempt to find fresh water.

Acrylic on board 90 X 54cm.

Capalaba Square

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Today (11/5/12) I was made aware that one of my largest murals was replaced with corrugated steel and security cameras. The initial mural was designed and painted in February 2006 by myself and two other local aerosol artists. The whole process was subject to rigorous control regarding the mural content and the design. This was done to ensure the final outcome would provide a cost effective solution for graffiti prevention in the area and to ensure the then Redland Shire Council and the building owner were satisfied with the aesthetic qualities of the wall. 

I am extremely frustrated by the installation of the cameras and corrugated steel as I was not contacted nor made aware this would be happening at any stage. Specifically with this site I had contacted council a number of times regarding the preservation of the mural as the site had deteriorated and undergone structural maintenance over time. It was also subject to some minor incidences of graffiti, however this is to be expected over the six year period which the artwork existed for in such a location. My discussions with council involved a new design for the area and in late 2010 I was commissioned to paint “New Artwork Coming Soon” which led me to believe I was still in the process of drafting a new mural for the existing site. 

What I find offensive about this process is the lack of adequate communication from council regarding the outcome of this site. The mural has received much support from local community members and has been method of successful graffiti prevention. The council liked it so much it was featured in the Annual Budget for 2005-06 and specified “The incidence of graffiti is reduced in Redland thanks to artwork in public spaces” It was also pictured in Our City Our Culture a  ten year cultural Plan adopted by Redland City Council where it was used to depict a statement about inclusvity of culture and youth. It was also featured in (Un)Commissioned Art an A-Z of Australian Graffiti written by Christine Dew as legitimate piece of public art, defining it as a colourful contribution to the area.  

The most disappointing outcome of this site is the removal of legitimate artwork, which provided colour and a break from the dull and drab monotones of the urban landscape. The artwork was the result of three creative and talented people and with adequate communication from council’s behalf I am sure we could have arrived at a more satisfying outcome for all stakeholders involved. The irony of this, is the removal of artwork which featured a koala. Recent steps taken by council show much support for koalas and public art with the “Environmental Art Project”, focusing on youth and koalas. 

Where to from here? I would much appreciate your support by contacting the local Councilor for the area, Paul Gleeson on: 07 3829 8999. Feel free to leave your comments below as I would like to hear your thoughts on this matter. 

Below are photos of the mural, new design and the now blank wall. I have also included emails from relevant council staff, where I was dicussing the future of the wall to which I am still awiting a reply.

——-Original Message——-
From: Christian Griffiths [mailto:info@aerograffix.com.au] 
Sent: Monday, 22 November 2010 3:44 PM
To: Byron Shreeve; Cr Karen Williams; Alex Mc Connell
Subject: Capalaba Square/Bus interchange mural

Hi all,

                        As you are aware I have been working on a new design to freshen up the Capalaba bus interchange wall. I am keen to present my proposed concept and discuss options for funding and a timeline for installation. I am available late afternoons and would appreciate if you could please advise me of a time that may be suitable to meet.  

kind regards,

Christian Griffiths

Aerograffix - Awesome Aerosol Art
PO Box 372 Capalaba Queensland, 4157
+61 409 068 980

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On 22/11/2010, at 4:07 PM, Byron Shreeve wrote:

Hi Christian

Sounds Great where would you like to meet?.
I can arrange a meeting room here at council if you wish?

I’m available most afternoon myself. I’ll try and work around the others schedules to make it a bit easier to bring together.

If you would like to meet at council, please give me a rough time & date that suits Alex & yourself and I’ll book an available room.
I would like Elise Parups RCC Community Cultural development officer to be invited to this meeting as she may be able to assist with the project by giving some information on how we can access the funds necessary for this project.

Regards
Byron

From: Christian Griffiths <info@aerograffix.com.au>

Date: 10 January 2011 2:49:12 PM AEDT

To: Byron Shreeve <Byron.Shreeve@redland.qld.gov.au>

Cc: Karen Williams <karen.williams@redland.qld.gov.au>, Alex Mc Connell <alexmcc1@bigpond.com>

Subject: Capalaba Bus interchange

Hi Byron, Karen and Alex,

It has come to my attention a tag has appeared on the Capalaba bus interchange mural.  To have any chance of keeping this area tidy I recommend we need to take the following courses of action: 

1: Cut the 2 trees back to a manageable height to allow the mural to be seen, allow lighting to penetrate the site and stop berries dropping on the concrete causing a trip hazard and jamming trolley wheels causing them to scrape the wall.

2: Commence regular aerosol art workshops and education regarding sub-cultural issues in relation to youth and graffiti. Council needs to embrace cultural policy (POL - 2706) stating: “3. nurturing the creative core of community cultural development through providing strategic support for local arts and heritage activities” and “5. providing dedicated public cultural facilities that present professional programs in all art forms that engage diverse audiences and participants and that develop the skills and ideas of local artists” as there is still nowhere for youths to paint legally or engage in legal projects. Furthermore “11. monitoring the diversity and scope of cultural development opportunities in the Redlands to ensure equitable access by people of all ages and locations”  The graffiti management policy also states “7. Providing cultural and developmental opportunities through the engagement of the community in graffiti prevention and diversionary activities and programs.” and “8. Providing guidance to the community on the development of art murals and the management of mural projects.”

3: Allow opportunity for all stakeholders to work together to get this fantastic opportunity for a fresh new artwork happening. Public at policy (POL - 3046) states  ”Encouraging collaborative arrangements between artists and design professionals in the creation and commissioning of public artworks.” but if council officers are not permitted to meet to discuss such projects, it will prove a difficult project to gain adequate support.

4: Pay for works as per agreed timeframe. The maintenance work carried out on the 8th Nov was not paid on time despite several reminders. A late fee was issued and is now also overdue. Aerograffix has previously written to council and successfully applied to be on a 28 day payment schedule. The payment terms agreed for the work undertaken were 30 day as stated on the invoice provided. 

I am more than happy to discuss these points in more detail. A design concept and project proposal have also been developed and I wish to present at the earliest opportunity. Take care and I look forward to working with you on this project during 2011,

 

Christian Griffiths

PS I am again off to Tassie as I have been selected as one of nine finalists in the Sheffield International Mural Fest. Keep you eyes peeled for website updates.

 

Aerograffix - Awesome Aerosol Art

PO Box 372 Capalaba Queensland, 4157

+61 409 068 980 

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From: Christian Griffiths <info@aerograffix.com.au>

Subject: Capalaba Bus interchange

Date: 21 February 2011 1:32:35 PM AEDT

To: Byron Shreeve <Byron.Shreeve@redland.qld.gov.au>, Karen Williams <karen.williams@redland.qld.gov.au>, Alex Mc Connell <alexmcc1@bigpond.com>

Hi Byron,

From the photographs supplied I have reason to believe graffiti removal has been unsuccessfully carried out at the bus interchange mural. I would like to question the reasoning in this measure as I have previously contacted yourself (see communications dated 10th Jan) about this issue with a plan and solution. In future I would appreciate to be contacted before this occurs as as stated in the initial proposal, the use of chemicals and/or a high pressure cleaning device has a damaging effect to the integrity of the artwork. Again as outlined in the proposal, it was noted the wall was not sealed with any anti-graffiti matter, making graffiti removal an inappropriate response. 

I am still willing to meet at your connivence to discuss and present the design concept and proposal to rejuvenate this site. It is clear the intermediate approaches are not a sufficient method dealing with this issue. 

Regards,

Christian Griffiths.

Redlands College

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Earlier this week I visited Redlands College and spent the day delivering a series of talks, discussing career pathway opportunities in the arts and my experiences as a proffessional mural artist. During the lunchbreak I enjoyed the challenge of completing an aerosol art demonstration within a brief timeframe. I really enjoy demonstrations as it allows an opportunity to showcase techniques to a large audience.

Sketches

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It’s been too busy to keep track of my sketchbook lately as I have been preoccupied with back to back murals. The black book is where it all begins, putting pencil to paper and lately I have been chewing through pencils and paper.  Sometimes murals are meticulously planned and other times a rough sketch is an adequate starting point for ideas to elvolve from. I have just uploaded a stack of new sketches comprising some of the design concepts from recent murals. Here’s a taste…

 

 

Mural Fest Media

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