Mall Artists Announced - Creating Connection: Neighbour Day Temporary Outdoor Gallery

City of Darwin has chosen four local artists to develop artwork for a temporary public art commission, in celebration of Neighbour Day 2019.     Artists were asked to respond to the 2019 Neighbour Day theme: Loneliness – What Neighbours Can Do to Create Connection in their submissions.   Four solar light towers recently installed in the Mall will serve as temporary outdoor gallery space. The artists will create artworks off-site on panels provided by City of Darwin, for installation on the sides of each light tower.    The commission is acquisitive and artworks will be kept to display in Council buildings after the exhibition.  Each artist will receive $2,400 ex GST, inclusive of materials and artworks. Installation of artworks will take place on April 23.   Successful Artists Alicia Scobie: Alicia’s contemporary art practice contributes to the fields of print culture, humour in art and art through the perspective of motherhood. Her current interests lie in “the self”, the role of objects in art making and how art can make you laugh.   Gloria Richards: Gloria Richards is a designer and graphic artist enjoying the blurry area between design and art. One of her recent works is the 25 metre Memory Wall at the Parap Pool.   Rita Macarounas: Rita returned to Darwin seven years ago after a long period living in Greece. Primarily a painter, she is particularly drawn to the colour red. Gold is also an important component in her work and identifies her Greek Orthodox spiritual heritage.   Jason Lee: Jason Lee is a Larrakia, Wardaman and Karajarri artist from Darwin. Jason is a multidisciplinary artist who is self-taught and has been producing art since 1983.    Background Temporary solar lighting towers were erected in the Mall to improve the sense of community safety in the Mall. This central hub for all residents of Darwin should be a welcoming space that feels safe for everyone.   The Neighbour Day Temporary Outdoor Gallery Commission is a creative approach to transforming a practical solution into a creative opportunity increasing community participation in transforming Darwin’s cityscape as Council continues to work with stakeholders on a longer term solution.   Council believes the exhibition will raise awareness of the 2019 Neighbour Day theme: Loneliness – What Neighbours Can Do to Create Connection and the value of inclusivity in creating connected communities.