Sometimes you find art in the most unlikely places. Here’s a 10 step tour of Blacktown that will take you to some of our city’s most creative corners!
1. Bidwill Square, Bidwill
From left: Funpark 2016, photograph by Audrey Newton; Annemaree Dalziel’s gabion wall and footpath mural by Province, both photographs by Jodie Polutele.
Since FUNPARK first came to Bidwill in 2013, various creative projects have emerged in the area including Annemaree Dalziel’s curved gabion wall – a structure supported by wire cages – and a large-scale footpath mural made by Province in collaboration with the Bidwill community. Designed through a series of structured workshops with children from the neighbourhood, the mural tells the story of the community through abstract patterns.
A number of other projects are currently being planned. Watch that space!
2. Water tanks, Blacktown International Sportspark (Eastern Road, Rooty Hill)
From left: artwork by Donna Brown and Jamie Eastwood, photographs by Aroha Groves.
Local artists Donna Brown and Jamie Eastwood have painted large murals on the new water storage tanks at Blacktown International Sportspark. The tanks were built as part of the Angus Creek Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Scheme, and revealed in 2016.
3. Our backyard, Blacktown Arts Centre (Campbell Street, Blacktown)
From left: Blacktown Arts Centre featuring Brook Andrew’s ‘Travelling Colony’, photograph by Joshua Morris; Toni Warburton’s ceramic sculptures ‘Risk: Pendulum Actions (arc 3/2015)’ and The Democratic Garden, both photographs by Emily McTaggart.
Blacktown Arts Centre’s backyard is more than just a carpark. In 2011, Blacktown City Council planted the Weaving Garden, which continues to be maintained by Blacktown’s community through workshops and gatherings initiated by Blacktown Arts. #ThisIsHowWeGather
The backyard is also home to Brook Andrew’s large caravan artwork, Travelling Colony, Toni Warburton’s ceramic sculptures Risk: Pendulum Actions (arc 3/2015), and the vertical Democratic Garden, which was first developed in partnership with Urban Theatre Projects in 2014.
4. The Village Green (Flushcombe Road, Blacktown)
Blacktown Village Green with artworks by Nerine Martini, photographs by Blacktown City Council.
The Village Green is home to a number of site-specific artworks by local artists Jacinta Tobin, Nerine Martini, Tracie Bertram and Robyn Caughlan.
5. Wall mosaics, Mount Druitt Swimming Centre (Mount Street, Mount Druitt)
Murals at Mount Druitt Swimming Centre, photographs by Blacktown City Council.
These murals were created by artists Joanne Saad and Abbas Makrab. Students from Colyton Public School and Chifley College Senior Campus helped design the murals. Local artist Leanne Tobin was also engaged in developing the concept and design of the artwork, drawing inspiration from Wiannamatta ‘Mother’ Creek Story (South Creek Story).
6. Nurragingy Reserve entry (Knox Road, Doonside)
Nurragingy Reserve roadway entry, with artworks by Danny Eastwood and Jamie Eastwood, photograph by Blacktown City Council.
The new roadway entry into Nurragingy Reserve, off Knox Road in Doonside, was opened in 2015. The site features 31 artworks by local Indigenous artists, Uncle Danny Eastwood and his son, Jamie Eastwood. The artworks on the ribbon entry symbolise the original history of the site, featuring flora and fauna, the waterways, bushland and recognise the significance of Nurragingy and Colebee.
7. Main Street Studios (Main Street, Blacktown)
Sarah Dahia in her studio (2016) and Khadim Ali’s studio (2015), photographs by Emily McTaggart.
This site has been used as a long-term studio for visual artists-in-residence since 2008. There are currently 3 suites occupied by approximately 6 artists each year. Read more.
8. Charles Lomu’s Garage Barbershop (Cooper Street, Blacktown)
Charles Lomu, photograph by Joshua Morris.
Charles Lomu – local barber, all-round good guy and one of the stars of our recent exhibition Garage Barbershop – practices the fine art of barbering from his own garage in Blacktown. Book a cut with Charles!
9. The streets (Blacktown)
Legal or not, you’ll find art pasted across the streets of Blacktown. In 2016, artist Wendy Murray wrote an article for Art Guide about her self-made tour of Blacktown’s street art scene. Does Blacktown have its own Banksy?
10. Blacktown Arts Centre (Flushcombe Road, Blacktown)
Blacktown Arts Centre, photograph by Joshua Morris.
With 2 gallery spaces, a 75-seat performance studio and a workshop studio inside its walls, Blacktown Arts Centre supports artistic innovation and offers exciting, new experiences for audiences through an award-winning curated program of exhibitions, performances, workshops, residencies and events. Read more.
What have we missed?
Have you seen other pieces art pasted or performed across our City? Tag us in a photo on Instagram/Facebook, or send us a message.