A 100-square-metre artwork has graced a prominent wall in Sydney Road, Brunswick this week, the faces of one hundred local residents telling a story of resilience, persistence, unity and hope.
Titled 'A Suitcase of Dreams', local siblings and artists Renato and Tash Colangelo, with Rosa Voto, spent more than a year taking portraits of people who settled in Moreland from overseas in the 50s, 60s and 70s.
More than 100 A0-size black-and-white portraits form a mural on the side wall of Sorrento Café, featuring many faces from in and around Coburg, Brunswick and across Moreland City.
Moreland Mayor Cr Natalie Abboud said the artwork was a wonderful way to recognise the population that shaped the culturally rich suburbs of the City of Moreland.
"'A Suitcase of Dreams' is a wonderful piece of local artwork that pays homage to the diversity and multiculturalism of our city," Cr Abboud said.
"It is a snapshot into the lives of the thousands of brave, resilient, hardworking people that travelled to our shores and made Moreland their home throughout our history, giving it the rich cultural flavour we enjoy today.
"Best of all, it is a wonderfully accessible piece of public art that contributes to the vitality of our municipality by challenging and refreshing perceptions about Moreland's local communities."
Moreland Council was proud to contribute $6,500 to the project, as part of Council's Place Action Plan for Brunswick.
The Action Plan, endorsed in 2017, plays a part in planning Brunswick's future, aiming to preserve what we love about the suburb, while providing for growth that respects and enhances its characteristics; the varied people, places, buildings and streets, and for the variety of experiences and opportunities that Brunswick offers.
'A Suitcase of Dreams' will be launched on Saturday 4 May at Café Sorrento, 801A Sydney Road, Brunswick at 2pm with many of those photographed expected to attend with their families.
Image - Artists&Mural:
Artists and installers left to right: Renato Colangelo, Rosa Voto, Tash Colangelo, Tom Ward
(Credit: Cam Grove/Tash & Ranato Colangelo).
