Meet the artist capturing Manly’s vibrancy on The Corso

A young local artist will capture Manly’s atmosphere and vibrancy into art on The Corso this month.

You can come watch Patrick Hunter, otherwise known as Ink Hunter paint live and transform the St Matthews Church retail construction site into an eclectic and colourful urban artwork.

Council understands the impact that construction can have on surrounding local businesses and the community. By transforming the construction site into urban artwork, we're making sure Manly continues to be an exciting place to live, work and visit.

We caught up with the Patrick to find out more about the mural and what inspired him.

Why did you apply to paint a mural on Manly Corso?

The easy constant swell checks right? Just kidding- location, location, location.

Manly speaks for itself with culture spilling out of every corner. Modern murals have changed how people see, perceive and understand street art. This is a large stepping stone in the street art world, and its acceptance in society gives the art so much more life with its ability to transform landscapes and minds.

Manly Corso is described as the entrance to the Northern Beaches with eight million people passing through each year - how does it feel to know your art will be featured there?

I am extremely proud to have been chosen from a fantastic group of submissions. I am honoured and grateful to be receiving such an important space to paint and show my way of approaching such a challenging canvas.

Murals are my love and passion and this is seen within my works, and it gives me joy knowing that I’ll be able to positively influence Manly’s visitors for all around the world.

Your mural’s design features many famous Manly icons like the green and yellow ferry. What inspired your design?

I was inspired by the unique ‘twilight’ moments Manly gets to bask in and the decadent light on the landscape during ‘the golden hour’. Light changes whatever it connects with, constantly. My design reads like a time lapse featuring the iconic images of Manly influenced by light.

It is always the light that I remember about any location, my inspiration was light and trying to catch it in its twilight state.

Do you have a special connection to the Northern Beaches and did this help inspire your design?

I am a clubbie at Palm Beach and live close to Manly, but it’s the ocean that brings me here, the small things.

From watching clean lines before a surf as you gear up in the car park, to watching a rod bend over and the rush that follows, the sense of place, and the Beaches community. Manly and the Northern Beaches are unique.

You’re about to put the first paint stroke on your mural, do you have a message for the Northern Beaches community about your artwork?

Enjoy the stunning landscape that coastal living brings and there is always time for a cheeky sunset or sunrise! There is no point in living in such a beautiful place to not enjoy it.

Follow my Instagram inkhunterartist for updates on the mural.

Watch this space for details about Saturday live painting sessions with relaxed seating and music throughout November and December.