Monte Lupo artists have left their mark on the Sunshine Coast, working together with 330 local primary school students and creatives to contribute to a new tourist landmark.
The Monte Lupo studio was responsible for hand making thousands of tiles for a mural, known as the Buddina Ocean Chair, which spans about 18sqm at Pike Park in the beachside suburb of Buddina.
Multicap’s General Manager Creative Arts Fiona Haynes said the team was proud to be part of the collaborative creation.
“Our studio is all about working collaboratively – it’s what we do every day within our team,” Fiona said. “So, to be invited to be part of this incredible piece of collaborative art was an honour.’
Monte Lupo Arts worked with Project Coordinator Gretchen Keelty, Buddina State School students, Mack Muckan from Undumbi Culture, Nick Grivas from Liquid Lyrics, Roxanne McCarty O’Kane from Ignite & Write, Turtle Care Sunshine Coast and Dave Matthews from Podspot to bring the mural to life.
Monte Lupo Arts ran tile-making workshops for Buddina State School students from years 4 to 6, teaching them to use specially crafted press moulds. The children then decorated their tiles using underglaze, acting as scientific illustrators for the day as they carefully coloured their fish, coral, leaves and flowers.
Together, the Monte Lupo artists and Buddina State School students made over 20,000 tiles. Some of the tiles feature poetry, written by year 6, while others depict the local animals and plants.
Local Sunshine coast artist and mural coordinator Gretchen Keelty said she was so grateful for the support of Monte Lupo Artists.
“Monte Lupo is one of Australia’s finest ceramic studios,” she said. “They produce incredible, high-quality, joyful work. The way that everyone works together, means that every artist is playing to their strengths and learning new skills. Coming into the ceramic studio was such a joy every visit. It really is my happy place. I am so grateful for their collaboration.”
Gretchen said the mural shows the richness of our culture, and creates an opportunity for locals and tourists to gain deeper understanding of our First Nations cultural history and our local ecology.
“I’m so proud of this incredible artwork. It really is something special for the community to be proud of. Not only is it stunning, but the super high-quality of the stoneware ceramics means that this mural should stand for many generations to come,” she said.
The mural is at beach access 229 on the Coastal Pathway near Pike Park, Buddina.
The official unveiling of the mural on Friday, 13 June was attended by more than 500 people, including participating students, residents, local, state and federal politicians. Mr Simon Wright, Multicap CEO, was a key speaker at the opening meeting, alongside Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Partnerships, Fiona Simpson, Mayor Rosanna Natoli and Councillor Joe Natoli.
Monte Lupo Arts proudly designs and creates beautiful custom handmade ceramic and textile artworks and homewares for individuals, community projects and organisations. For more information, please visit www.montelupo.org.au.
Buddina Ocean Chair Image by Barry Alsop, Eyes Wide Open Images.