AN ever-changing art wall open to public use is among the concepts mooted by Mount Gambier artist Anthony Hamilton to evolve the city’s cultural footprint.
Mr Hamilton said the public project, similar to Melbourne’s Hosier Lane, is just one of several free paint spaces which could be established across the city to encourage artistic expression within the community.
“People go on about Hosier Lane, although it involves multiple artists over a long period of time where they will come, paint and go and within a week it has been gone over maybe two or three times.
“You will always have taggers but if they are going to paste it on a designated wall then it is probably better than an architectural-style, heritage or private building.”
Mr Hamilton said a similar project in the Blue Lake city may give Limestone Coast artists something to nurture.
“There is opportunity in the town centre or a few blocks away and the railway lands surrounding walls,” he said.
“Over my 20 years of painting I think in the last five years Mount Gambier is progressing with its culture.
“It is now more viable.”
Mr Hamilton recently completed his “best brush work” yet at Metro Bakery and Cafe, pleased to finish the project after a lot of “up and down ladders”.
“The mural is a combination of the spraycan designs I completed in the outside area of the cafe,” he said.
“The thought process involved a super coffee bean who saves his girlfriend from a coffee grinder over various stages.
“He has basically collected all these bits through the stages to make this crazy machine which is what the mural shows.”
Mr Hamilton said the combined collection of art is a symbol for the hard work you go through life.
“Through your stages of life you go through hard work and once you have completed and collected your needs you have enough to create your golden years I guess,” he said.
“The thought process involved was mechanical and ties in with a range of different cultures.
“The robot is a marionette old style puppet created by the machine that can create whatever you like.”
After successful establishment of Alien Art House Mr Hamilton continues to promote his passion and would like to see Mount Gambier’s art culture progress.
“I have been painting for 20 years but as far as evolution in Mount Gambier I think it has been pretty stagnant,” he said.
“After finishing my paintings at at the cafe I have seen a lot more pop up around the place and I think it has widen people’s perception on what art really is.
“There is definitely opportunity for Mount Gambier to develop its art culture but it is just about finding safe places to paint.”
Mr Hamilton said he does not like categorising types of painting into one genre.
“I think the best thing with with art is that it is subjective to what the viewers see,” he said.
“It could be graffiti, street art, fine art but as an artist you learn to blend everything together,” he said.
“Sometimes I will be painting brush but will use spray can for effects and bring in a bit of stencil as fine lines can be quite difficult.
“The more detail-laden the artwork is the more longevity it has.”
The artistic talent said he would like to diminish the stigma around art being created for no cost.
“People say if you find a job you love doing you will never work a day in your life,” he said.
“Well if you love painting people still seem to think you can do it for free.
“It is a bit disappointing because paint is not cheap and painting does take time but it is something that will last forever.”
Mr Hamilton said he encouraged all artists to keep painting and “doing what they love.”
“I would encourage anyone that is just beginning to keep practicing because you can only get better,” he said.
“If you have any idea approach the councils or talk directly to the Riddoch Art Gallery for ideas.
“They will put you in the right direction.”
