In one of Wollongong's most popular laneways, a new artwork has made a bold statement - silliness is the law!
'Welcome to My Silly World', by Wollongong-based artist Daisy Knight (DAISYATTACK!) has landed in Ethel Hayton Walkway. She has transformed the laneway's eight art light boxes into little 'portals' to a chaotic universe where things don't need to make sense.
Where perfection is not a requirement and silliness is the law, these 'portals' embrace the joy of making a mess. Bursting in neon colours, the artwork invites each passerby to tap into their playful side and explore the various cute and unhinged characters on display.
"I just wanted to have something that will brighten up people's day," Daisy said.
"Maybe give them a fun game of iSPY to see which is their favourite monster. A bit of whimsy and a bit of fun in the city."
Living with ADHD, Daisy bounces between materials and ideas, often using trash to build immersive worlds. For this latest work, her colourful universe and its eccentric monsters were built from cardboard, expandable foam, papier-mâché, foam clay, neon paint, and other random stuff she had been hoarding.
"I like this idea of finding something and then giving it a new life," she said.
"Art is such a powerful form of self-expression. What was basically garbage can be transformed into monsters."
"Everyone should be making stuff out there. Play with some clay. It's good for the soul!"
The Ethel Hayton light boxes debuted in 2013, offering a public space for artists to showcase their artworks. Council is adopting an installation-style approach to attract more artists from a wider range of art practices, such as Daisy's three-dimensional body of work. This approach gives artists greater flexibility to present new or existing works.
It is one of many initiatives under the Public Art Strategy that encourages the activation of public spaces with art.
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown welcomed the splash of colour to the humble laneway, which has brought new personality into a popular public space and continues its use for temporary art installations.
"Every day, many people move through here from Crown Street to the Arts Precinct, so it's wonderful that the space can spark some creativity. I always enjoy the wide variety of exhibitions that spend time in this space," she said.
"It's lovely that this laneway is also alongside some of our city's well-known creative spaces, the Illawarra Performing Art Centre and Wollongong Art Gallery.
"Even more so, since the laneway is named after one of Wollongong's unique cultural figures, Ethel Hayton, a flamboyant journalist and author who tirelessly championed the local arts scene and helped fund the city's Art Gallery. This rolling exhibition opportunity in the light boxes aims to carry her legacy forward.
"Daisy's exhibition can show other budding artists what is possible. It shows how your work can reimagine the way people interact and engage with outdoor places."
The installation will be on show until September. Council will call for Expressions of Interest for the next installation in the following months.
Be the first to know when applications open by following Council's social media pages or subscribing to the Creative Wollongong e-newsletter .
