In 2004 The Upholstery in collaboration with Tastey and The Inbox Café (now closed) held Far North Queensland’s first graffiti and street art event/exhibition entitled ‘Da Graff Show’.
The event was designed to showcase the regions talented aerosol artists and create a legal, safe, public domain for which artists and the public could interact.
The initial event/exhibition was a massive success, involving over 15 local and 2 international artists, attracting over 450 attendees in a 5 hr period and creating Cairns first official legal graffiti wall.
In 2009, Tastey, The Upholstery and the soon to be opened Caffiend (*see attached Press Release) are bringing it back in a bigger better way, with the creation of Cairns’ largest public art work and the grand opening of Cairns’s newest and coolest Coffee Bar, as part of the inaugural Alley Project.
Tastey and Caffiend have recently secured permission for the use of the 75m long, privately owned alley and its walls, situated next to both stores on Grafton St, for the use as a permanent legal graffiti wall.
The Upholstery Contemporary Arts were invited to bring their arts and event-management experience and become involved in this massive project, taking on an associate management role and assisting Tastey and Caffiend in the development of the project from concept to creation and help co-ordinate 20 regional North Queensland and several nationally respected artists.
Not only will the Alley and its striking artwork become an integral part of Caffiends décor and visual identity, but will also become a well-known visual draw card for tourists, locals and commercial photographers alike, enhancing the ever evolving hive of fashion and food on Cairns’s trendy Grafton St, and creating a stunning visual landmark in the heart of Cairns for years to come.
“Melbourne is known as one of the world’s great street art capitals for its unique expressions of art displayed on approved outdoor locations throughout the city”
http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Placestogo/PublicArt/Pages/StreetArt.aspx
Project Brief: Tastey in association with The Upholstery Contemporary Arts and Caffiend will be managing and presenting the project, with local and national sponsors/supporters.
15 – 20 regional North Queensland Artists and several nationally respected artists will be collaborating to complete Cairns’ Largest Public Artwork and legal graffiti wall.
The Alley is privately owned by Koppens Investments Pty Ld and is situated at 78 – 82 Grafton St
It is approximately 75m long and will be split into 2 painted sections.
A co-coordinated, themed mural involving 12 local and national artists
A freeform collaborative mural, involving 10 – 12 artists
Section 1: Tastey ‘tropical, beats n treats’ Themed Production.
This will be a permanent, full production wall, with a planned mural background.
This will be involve 8 – 12 local and national guest writers.
Section 2: The Upholstery Freeform Production and Exhibition.
This will be a less structured wall and will allow participating artists the chance to collaborate and work with other local writers and develop their skills.
This will involve 8-12 local and national artists
Exhibition: Upholstery Exhibition of Canvases, Black Book art (sketch book art) and Photography will be set up as part of the event.
Timeline:
Sun 26th April, 11am – 4pm (background painting / aerosol painting)
Sun 3rd May, 11am – 4pm (aerosol mural painting)
Wed 13th – Sat 16th (finish painting, set up lights/exhibition)
Sat 16th of May 2009, 4pm – Midnight (opening night)
"Pied Piper"
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