After three months of work, Geelong’s newest large-scale artwork officially opened last week.
The giant mural, stretching 88 metres across the exterior of the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre on Smythe Street, depicts the connection between the region’s Wadawurrung history and the community’s continuing evolution.
Created by internationally-acclaimed artist Rone, who began his artistic journey as a graffiti stenciller in his teenage years, the mural features 14 local faces young and old, from three-year-old Asta Templeton to 88-year-old Ken Mansfield OAM.
Having already created major murals at the Powerhouse Station in North Geelong and Provenance Wines in Fyansford, Rone said it was “an honour to create a piece that will be part of the future of a city that shaped me.”
“The people of the community inspire me most, their stories and what it means to them to be represented in their own community,” he said.
Victorian member for Geelong Christine Couzens represented the minister for regional development Jaclyn Symes at the official opening event.
“The completion of the Nyaal Banyul Convention and Event Centre will help to ensure a strong future for Greater Geelong, one that builds upon the rich history and strong sense of community depicted in Rone’s latest work of art,” she said.
The project is funded through the Geelong City Deal, a $676 million investment from the Australian and Victorian governments and City of Greater Geelong.
Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj welcomed the “striking addition” to the development, saying he had admired the work of Rone for a long time.
