The City of Greater Geelong has commissioned a new public artwork piece in Portarlington.
Developed in consultation with the Portarlington Community Association and the owners of the relevant buildings, a colourful mural will be painted on a laneway off the town’s main shopping strip, Newcombe Street.
The mural, designed by a young local artist Sai Neoh in collaboration with the City’s Environment team, will feature a pair of weedy seadragons.
Sai Neoh, known for his graphic and brightly coloured aerosol works, chose to highlight the well-loved native marine species with rich and vibrant colours.
The weedy sea dragon is not only the marine emblem of Victoria but prevalent in the waters of Port Phillip Bay and the mascot of the Port Phillip Ferries.The commission is the first laneway mural in Portarlington, with the Portarlington Community Association hoping to introduce more public art throughout the town over coming years.
Mayor Stephanie Asher said the mural was the result of positive creative collaboration between the City and local community members in Portarlington.
This mural will be an important cultural addition to our wider region’s extensive public art collection.
We are thrilled to be working closely with the Portarlington Community Association as well as with a local Drysdale artist for this project.
Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan, Chair of the Creative Communities and Culture portfolio said the laneway would add extra colour and vibrancy to the Portarlington foreshore shopping precinct.
The laneway is situated near the top of the main road heading down to the pier and the swimming beach, so it will act as an entry feature to the main retail space.
It’s hoped that this mural will foster meaningful connections and pride of place within the Portarlington community by celebrating the marine life unique to the area.
The Portarlington Community Association were able to undertake surface preparation works for the mural with funding provided through a Stronger Communities grant from the office of Libby Coker.
Portarlington Community Association President Geoff Fary said the association was delighted to be able to work in cooperation with the City and the local traders to add vibrancy to the coastal town’s shopping strip.
It is hope Sai’s work will be one of a number that will become icons of our community and a drawcard for visitors.
