In September, five large-scale murals will be installed throughout Newcastle’s CBD, aimed at enhancing the city’s street art collection. Since the inaugural Big Picture Fest in 2020, Newcastle’s street art has continuously evolved. The upcoming festival offers an opportunity for the community to appreciate color and creativity in real-time.
A team of acclaimed artists, both local and national, reviewed dozens of expressions of interest to select the best local artwork for the event. Sally Bourke, Shane Kennedy, Wednesday Sutherland, and Joel Van Moore meticulously judged the applicants for the upcoming three-day street art festival.
Sally is an established Newcastle artist who has been involved in the city’s street art scene since organising Hit the Bricks in 2014. Wednesday, a photographer associated with The Lock-Up contemporary art space, has been active in the local art scene for years. Shane, of Up&Up Inspirations, is highly respected in the street art community. Joel, the Founder and Creative Director of the Big Picture Fest, rounds out this distinguished team.
Together they selected artists Melody Suranyi and Dan Gould, both who enjoy exploring art through a modern and ancient lens.
“I have been following along with the Big Picture Festival since I moved to Newcastle in 2019 and have loved watching Newy being transformed into a vibrant creative hub! I am over the moon to be able to contribute to the art scene in my favourite city and home and be involved in the fantastic creative community here. I am so excited for the festival and to paint alongside an amazing lineup of artists,” Melody said.
Big Picture Fest is also excited to announce renowned street artist Sophi Odling to the lineup!
Sophi is an Australian artist who paints large-scale murals around the globe; her work celebrates cultural diversity, borderless minds and the innocence of youth.
Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes said the festival has become a beloved staple of New Annual, which the City of Newcastle has funded through the Special Business Rates program. “Big Picture Fest is always a vibrant, creative time for Newcastle, and a nursery for prodigious artistic talent that shows our city in a new light,” Cr Nelmes said.
“I’m proud that the City of Newcastle is backing the Big Picture Fest once again, and I can’t wait to join thousands of locals and visitors walking the streets of our city to celebrate this truly democratic festival of art.”
The three artists and their distinct styles will be unmissable with the Big Picture Fest announcing more artists in the coming weeks.
IMAGE | Melody Suranyi
