A NEW mural along Bell St is the latest addition to Ipswich Central’s “Living, Breathing Gallery” – further proving that you can’t have a city heart, without art.
Brassall resident, artist and owner of By Emily Kate studio on Brisbane St Kate Murray is the creative force behind this captivating arrival for travellers.
Sharing a sneak-peek of the art on her social media pages, Ms Murray said the artwork is her interpretation of local Ipswich flora.
“Called ‘Take me Home’, this work is inspired by colours in our city from buildings, artworks, and flora,” Ms Murray said.
“It brings vibrancy to a beautiful growing city, and a welcome to people arriving for the first time or coming home to Ipswich.
“I’m proud to call myself a local Ipswich artist. Ipswich has a vibrant artistic community and is continuing to grow. Keep supporting your local artists.”
Adding to the community-driven, 300-metre gallery that beautifies busy Bell Street, the 26-metre-long mural will be visible to hundreds of thousands of public transport users that enter and exit Ipswich
Central each year. And with the Venue entertainment precinct and the new era of the Hotel Commonwealth both opening next year, this hub is only expected to get busier.
Importantly, creating art in the city heart is a true collaboration by the proud community that lives and works there.
It started this time two years ago when 50 local volunteers rolled up their sleeves on a Sunday morning to help remove graffiti, sand back bench chairs, paint, pick up rubbish and high-pressure wash Bell St.
Now multiple murals, artistic street benches and creative greenery displays feature along the major thoroughfare, thanks to input from the volunteer-led Ipswich Central Partnership, local school students,
First Nations artist Robin Wakkajinda (known as Tallman), and council.
The art doesn’t stop there. While Bell St has become a canvas for community art, it is hard to find a street near it that does not feature a piece of public art or two. From artwork by local artists Katherine McNamara and Chloe Rickard for the Green Walkable Streets project, to Lincoln Austin’s impressive “Standing” sculpture in Tulmur Place, Ipswich Central is brimming with public art. A full list of 30 pieces is published on council’s website.
Next on the list is developing the Cultural Heart of Ipswich Central, extending from Nicholas Street Precinct south to Roderick St. Approached in three stages, the community is first invited to share your feedback on renewing d’Arcy Doyle Place.
Online feedback is open until 29 January, with pop-up sessions planned to discuss your ideas face-to-face with council.
Make sure to find the “Developing the Cultural Heart” project on Shape Your Ipswich to stay informed.
