A medical mural has added vibrancy to a surgical space at the top of Wollongong’s Crown Street.
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Wollongong Surgical Associates commissioned Urban Art Australia to create the aerosol artwork along the fence of its consulting rooms.
General surgeon Soni Putnis said the mural created this week had brightened up the area which adjoined a park commonly used by local medical staff.
‘’With the arrival of Wollongong Private Hospital, Crown Street has become a medical precinct that we believe offers world class medical and surgical services,’’ Dr Putnis said. ‘’Our mural reflects and celebrates this.’’
It’s the latest in a range of colourful murals created for shops, children’s centres, schools, community halls and private homes created by aerosol artist Anthony Jones.
Mr Jones, who set up Urban Art Australia 18 months ago, also visits schools and youth groups to help prevent graffiti vandalism. It’s a mission that’s close to home.
‘’I spent a few years doing the wrong things – painting things I shouldn’t have,’’ he said.
‘’But I then realised I didn’t want to deface property, I wanted to channel my passion into a viable business and provide a service to the Illawarra at the same time.
‘’So in our workshops we’re not teaching kids how to tag or write their names, we’re teaching them about the different things they can do with aerosol art, and where their passion can take them.’’
Mr Jones said he’d completed a varied bunch of murals including jungle, superhero, farmyard and underwater themes – but the surgical theme had been a new challenge.
‘’I definitely think aerosol art is trending right now – especially in Wollongong where initiatives like Wonderwalls have really changed the face of the city,’’ he said.
‘’The community is really getting behind it and experiencing the artform in a completely different light.
‘’And the businesses and individuals who commission these murals on fences and walls are really after that modern edge.’’
The success of his venture means that Mr Jones is now in the process of setting up shop, at Wentworth Street, Port Kembla.
He’ll also be conducting live workshops at Wollongong’s 2016 Comic Gong festival on May 14.
