Two spectacular new sports-themed murals have popped up in the City of Ryde as part of Council’s ongoing Graffiti Management Project.
The murals – at ELS Hall Park, North Ryde, and Morrison Bay Park, Putney – follow the unveiling of a brilliantly coloured giant rainbow lorikeet on the side of a building in Ryedale Road, West Ryde in May 2023.
The ELS Hall Park mural, called ‘Home Run’, was designed and installed by Sydney public art creators Muralisto on the side of a storage shed predominantly used by the Ryde Hawks baseball club and captures the electricity and energy of home games.
“Sport has a unique capacity to bring people together in stadiums, arenas, or even neighbourhood parks,” explained artist Zoe Edema. “Strangers become friends, communities become united, and we come together to witness, participate in and celebrate the joy of sports and competition.”
Well-known West Ryde artist Sheila Tan created the Morrison Bay Park mural on the side of an amenities building at the popular Putney recreation area.
“I’m excited to unveil this new mural at Morrison Bay Park,” she said. “It represents the three major sports that are played on site each day – touch football, soccer and cricket.”
The Council-commissioned murals are part of the NSW Government funded Graffiti Management Project, designed to beautify the City of Ryde, instil a sense of community and belonging and to discourage graffiti.
The first of the mural projects, at Meadowbank train station, was completed in December 2022 and brings together elements of water and land in an art deco abstract design.
City of Ryde Mayor Clr Sarkis Yedelian OAM said the murals brought an added sense of vibrancy to some popular local landmarks.
“We have commissioned some talented artists who have created colourful, dynamic work that has enlivened what were functional but otherwise uninteresting structures,” he said.
“The action-packed new murals at ELS Hall Park and Morrison Bay Park pay tribute to our sports loving community and should provide great motivation for the athletes using both parks.”
