By KATRINA BRANDON
A BLANK canvas or a particularly designed wall is in question in Traralgon.
Is the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) wall that faces Grey Street an eyesore?
Last month, a comment was raised on a local Facebook page asking if GPAC needs a new installation, as it is seen to some as an “eyesore”.
Those who agreed commented that professional local artists should have the chance to showcase their best works on the wall or to project their works so that all local artists get a chance to share their creations.
Those who disagreed said that if there was to be anything on the wall, it could possibly quickly turn into a spot for more road incidents as people get distracted and to not waste money on things that aren’t a necessity, saying money would be better spent on fixing roads.
The comments continued until the author turned off the comments section. Another post was also created in the same group by a local artist who shared some of their top pick of artists to work on the wall (being such a large area).
“Jackson Architecture and Katsieris Origami, both respected names in their fields, designed this structure with intent. Covering it with a mural would undermine the integrity of their design. The starkness of exposed concrete is not a flaw – it’s a deliberate statement. The verticality of the centerpiece and the way the building engages with its surroundings are all essential to its identity,” one user said.
“Rather than altering the building’s surface, a more fitting approach would be to educate and advocate – to help people see the value in what’s already there. If activation is the goal, there are ways to enhance the space without compromising the architecture: lighting, landscaping, or sculptural elements that respect the original vision rather than overwrite it.”
In surrounding towns, the art scene is growing. The Show Me Your Art festival (SMYAF) in Moe is one of many dedicated to “dressing up” local towns to share pride in place.
Murals are also prominent in Boolarra, Newborough, and Yallourn North.
Is Traralgon missing out on the art game or creating its own game?
