RYAN BEDFORD
A colourful shipping container mural aptly named ‘Coastlines’ will greet media as they enter and exit the Commonwealth Games Main Press Centre (MPC) at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Designed by Griffith student Adrian Smith and commissioned by Queensland College of Art, the mural captures the topography of the Gold Coast and dynamic movement of athletes.
The artwork was installed by Griffith students Adrian Smith, Maria Bourgard, Arianna Cimei and Nikolina Sika on the MPC’s northern lawn over a three-day period in some wild Gold Coast conditions.
Fine Art Lecturer Dr Simon Degroot said the mural captures the spirit of the Commonwealth Games being “inspired by the colours of the Games athletes’ village”.
“It features 21 lines, representing the 21st (edition of the) Games,” Dr Degroot said.
“The yellow and purple arches represent the dynamic action of athletes and the dots represent spectators coming into Games venues.”
Running as a unique version of Queensland College of Art’s Fine Arts course, each student submitted preliminary designs to Dr Degroot for him to make a selection to submit the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC).
“I thought about them all (designs) and which would be the most appropriate for the site as well as the easiest to paint,” Dr Degroot said.
Students were midway through the mural when visited by Griffith University’s Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Ian O’Connor AC.
Professor O’Connor congratulated the students and Dr Degroot before posing for a photo in front of the mural.
There was also the opportunity to meet Commonwealth Games Federation president Louise Martin and GOLDOC chairman Peter Beattie AC.
The students braved through a full three days of wild Gold Coast weather to paint the mural, which will be used as an assessment item in their academic work for the semester.
“As a work-integrated learning course, there is some theory and historical background involved. Students will make a presentation based on their experiences in both the design process and the painting process.”
“What they learn with the weather and logistical experiences will be a big part of it,” Dr Degroot said.
The ‘Coastlines’ mural will remain at the site for the duration of the Games.