Brisbane Street Art Festival Transforms the City
As we all know, Brisbane is a pretty awesome city. We’re the birthplace of the lamington, we have a kickass Oktoberfest (it’s the largest one in Australia), and we were named Australia’s hippest city in 2014. Well, brace yourselves because the city is about to get a whole lot more amazing with the Brisbane Street Art Festival transforming buildings left, right and centre.
Starting on 6th February and running over 2 weeks, BSAF is the brain-child of local culture vultures David Don and Lincoln Savage (side note: how cool are their names?).
David is an artist himself (as well as a curator, events coordinator, and musician) and he’s got stacks of experience having directed and curated over 10 art exhibitions, and co-directed projects for Brisbane City Council and the Jugglers Art Space. Lincoln is similarly well-versed, being the co-director of the Jungle Love Festival, Director for Lost Movements, and project manager for Arts Electronica (that one’s in Austria!).
We took a few minutes with David to find out more about what we can expect.
Can you tell us a bit about the BSAF?
The Brisbane Street Art Festival is a new project concept conceived by an innovative creative collective that intends to enhance the Brisbane community and inspire individuals through public art.
Spread over a week, beginning from the 6th February BSAF will host over 15 large-scale murals situated in the Fortitude Valley and surrounding inner city precinct. There will also be exhibitions, launch party with live music, street art fashion show, market stalls and prize packs to give away.
How did you come up with the idea?
This project has been in the pipeline for a while. Both Lincoln and I have been part of many smaller creative events over the past few years.
As artists ourselves, we feel it’s important to offer a platform or outlet for the creative community of Brisbane. The premise that guides most of our endeavours is to foster collaboration between many people, whether it be creative partnerships, exposure of one’s art or even small businesses.
In a nutshell, we want everyone and anyone to be a part of the Brisbane Street Art Festival. Our goal is to eventually build a multi-disciplined festival that brings the entire city of Brisbane and even Australia together to celebrate art in any form.
That sounds amazing! What are you looking forward to the most in the festival?
Witnessing some amazing artwork being created live across Brisbane City.
Who’s your favourite artist of all time?
This is difficult to answer as there is so much amazing work being created. It changes every day, but today it would have to be the local heroes Guido Van Helten, Fintan Magee, Sofles and Gus Eagleton.
Do you have any advice for any budding young artists out there?
I think at any stage of an artist’s career, you are always in need of good advice or just a good push. The best advice I have been given is to record every idea you have, even if it seems insignificant. These ideas eventually form the basis of your practice, style and understanding as an artist. If anything, it gives you something funny to read 5, 10, 20 years down the track.
Heaps of local businesses will be taking part in including Brisbane Street Art Festival including GPO Hotel, The Met, and Little Clive, as well as Kerbside, Crush City, and Clovely Estate. Why not show them a little love and head on down?
Brisbane Street Art Festival will be running from 6th – 18th February.
