Image Credit: City of Charles Sturt and Carney Sim
If there’s one thing that’ll bring instant joy, it’s the outside of this Queen Street factory turned artistic masterpiece, and that’s exactly what local artists Leah Grant and Jack Fran aimed to do.
After requests from the community to make the exterior wall ‘more beautiful,’ the two teamed up, bringing their unique styles together.
“We want it to feel like a little burst of joy in this residential corner of Croydon,” says Leah.
“We merged our distinct styles, creating a vibrant and engaging piece that neither of us would have painted in isolation.”
Initially only on one side of the building, the extention and collaboration was made possible thanks to funding from the City of Charles Sturt, allowing the the artwork to wrap around the exterior wall and face the bustling Port Road.
Leah, a high-school art teacher and a passionate advocate for public art, brings colour and happiness to many murals across South Australia and Victoria.
“I use bold shapes and patterns to create landmark murals that celebrate culture and nature,” she explains.
“I love bringing colour to bland walls to change the way people interact with a space… and am fascinated by the creative process and how we seek happiness in everyday life.”
Jack’s artistic approach is a more a mix of realism and symbolism, known for his large-scale murals that blend portraits and abstract art.
This piece of art is a visual spectacle. The colour draws you in, but the subtle Queen Street references make it a celebration of community, breathing artistic energy to the trendy inner-west suburb.
“Our hope is that this mural continues to surprise and delight those who pass by. Whether it’s the bold colours, the subtle Queen references hidden in the design, or the way the artwork connects with its surroundings,” Leah explains.
The duo used an airless paint sprayer to create an abstract gradient haze. There’s delicate florals, there’s realism and there’s abstract shapes. It’s an eclectic mix, in beautiful synchronicity with the urban, artsy and industrial location.
“My design is inspired by the plants that you can see along Queen Street,” says Leah.
“There are so many trees and flowers along the nature strip, and I wanted to celebrate these by stylising them and playing with colour.”
If you’ve wandered the streets of Croydon, you’ve likely come across the mosaics lining the streets, hiding in plantboxes and across posts – you’ll find plenty of them in Jack’s work.
The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, making it even more meaningful for Leah.
“Every day we painted, people stopped to tell us how happy they were to see the wall being transformed. You know a project is worthwhile when people are drawn in and want to talk about it.”
If there’s one thing to take from this creative collab, it’s the positive impact of public art and community collaboration. Leah credits the Charles Sturt Council, her family, friends, and the property owner for making it possible, and pushes for more collaborations.
“So many people have helped to make this possible. More collaboration is exactly what public art needs. It pushes artists to think differently, step outside their comfort zones, and ultimately leads to more diverse, engaging outcomes for communities,” she states.
“It’s one of the best projects I’ve been part of!”
If you catch yourself in the Croydon area, be sure to check out this beautiful piece of street art. How many Queen references can you spot?
WHAT: Queen Street Mural collaboration
WHERE: Cnr of Queen Street and Port Road, Croydon 3136
For Leah’s website, click here.
For Jack’s Instagram, click here.
More News
