By Tanya Faulkner
A series of artworks have popped up around Ferntree Gully as part of an initiative designed to brighten up the town.
Kick-started by Knox Council, Ferntree Gully locals will be able to enjoy masterpieces created by local artists from around Victoria, as a way to boost community morale and appreciation.
Several artists have visited the Hills community, bringing with them a vision, paints and brushes, and a passion for art.
Muralist Jack Rowland was one of the artists approached to create a design for the community, which he said he was thrilled to participate in.
“I was excited by the ambitious size of the project.
“This particular project is the biggest wall I’ve done of my own artwork, and it was a great opportunity to paint in that area,” he said.
Mr Rowland’s wall features a beautiful forest piece with some flora and fauna to accentuate the design.
He said his inspiration was from the natural landscape that surrounds Ferntree Gully.
“I created an initial design and then refined it after visiting the Hills and exploring the natural forest areas.
Mr Rowland said he wanted to get an image that would encompass what he had related to in the area, particularly the beautiful mists in the cooler seasons.
“As I started walking around the beautiful tree and fern areas, I discovered a beautiful amount of diverse and strange fungus in the area which was an unexpected trait that I wanted to reflect in my work,” he said.
During the two weeks it took to complete the mural, Mr Rowland said he was blown away by the amount of public that would come for a chat, with a generally positive response to the new artworks being installed.
“A lot of people were saying they were happy that it wasn’t graffiti any more, and it was a nice image reflecting the area.
“It creates a bit more pride in an area when artwork has been carefully put on walls,” he said.
Ferntree Gully locals and visitors alike can now enjoy an array of murals around the main centre of town.
Knox Mayor, Cr Marcia Timmers-Leitch said these murals are part of Council’s Ferntree Gully Creative Placemaking Plan, which uses art to beautify and create interest in the village and improve community safety along key pedestrian walkways.
“The plan uses the arts to activate public spaces, eliminate graffiti and build on the unique identity of the village,” she said.
A number of the public art installations are being used to reflect the community-elected themes of nature and the environment, local history, First Nations and diversity.
“This plan supports the long term cultural, social and economic wellbeing of Ferntree Gully Village for local residents, traders and visitors, and forms part of Council’s broader work to support suburban renewal and retail activation of key precincts in Knox,” she said.
Cr. Timmers-Leitch said the Ferntree Gully Creative Placemaking Plan is being delivered by Council in partnership with the Victorian Government.
Council is contributing $130,000 towards the project (including in-kind contributions) and has received $110,000 from the Victorian Government’s Living Local Fund Suburban Grants.
