Street artists splash colour down pub
Urban street artists Charles West and Corey Eggmolesse are transforming the beer garden of the Coronation Hotel with their wonderful world of colour.
The Brassall duo, lifelong mates, have painted two internal walls of the courtyard with their stylised urban graffiti and are set to continue their work as the pub continues its renovations.
Some people will think of graffiti in a negative light, but these two artists are not spray painting trains at night. Far from it. Their commissioned work is strictly legal and has its roots in a global urban art movement.
"It is a late 1990s kind of style. You don't see a lot of it around these days," Charles says.
"With stuff that is legal it is going to stay there.
"Everyone gets to see it and you are allowed to do it, so you can take your time and take a bit more pride in it.
"I enjoyed this one," he says, gazing at his handiwork.
"It is a bit of a night theme going on ... it is good."
The main wall has CORO brightly painted on it, with a city skyline in the background.
"It is pretty much street art. It is bright and colourful," Corey says.
"Charles and I have done a bit of work for the Drug and Alcohol Foundation promoting a natural high. We've done murals where we went to school together at Ipswich State High. We've also done graffiti workshops
together at the PCYC."
Publicans David McLean and Bridget McLean say the murals provide just the effect they are after.
"We wanted to do something different ... and something colourful," Bridget says.
"What we are trying to do with the renovations here is make each area suitable for different groups of people so they can all feel comfortable.
"With the graffiti and street art it gives a real urban feel and it is a talking point. You can see it when you drive past and people come in and go, 'That is awesome'."
Bridget says the artists did their work in front of an appreciative audience and gave patrons the opportunity to see "a virtual live art show".
David says the Coronation Hotel takes great pride in the way they encourage rising artists like Corey and other creative spirits.
"We like to embrace as much of the micro-culture of Ipswich as we can," he says.
The art is not just transforming mundane spaces.
"When I was about 14½ my mum passed away. I spent a lot of time by myself just drawing and drawing and drawing. It got me through," Charles says.
"My art is my outlet," says Corey.
"When there are massive highs or depressing lows, I use my art to express myself."
Anyone interested in commissioning the two artists can find them at Creative Mind Expressions on Facebook.
Source: Queensland Times, 30 June 2012
