Mural artist in full bloom
In a proposal to make Busselton brighter, Perth mural artist Holly Ogden will paint sunflowers throughout the CBD.
The initiative, organised by community-run group the Building Busselton Town Team, was put into action in a bid to revitalise and activate the city.
As some businesses in the city shut down, the BBTT contacted Ogden to suggest she paint bare walls and vacant shop windows to bring life into the CBD.
The artist began painting sunflowers when COVID-19 restrictions were in place to spread happiness around WA and now has her sights set on Busselton to be her next colourful canvas.
Ogden said she recently painted 15 sunflowers in the Margaret River region and would paint the drive-through of The Cure coffee shop in Dunsborough soon.
“I started this project because I really wanted to get into mural painting, and when coronavirus hit, it kind of snowballed and became a positive thing to shine light during a dark time,” Ogden said.
“Everybody loves a sunflower; I think everyone has a connection to them. They’re very cheery and bright and free-spirited. ”
Ms Ogden said she painted her murals for free and would continue to do so because of the positive responses and gestures she received.
“When I paint sunflowers around my area, I get little bunches of sunflowers on my doorstep, or Bunnings vouchers in my letterbox for paint, and people will bring me bottles of wine to say thank you,” she said.
The artist recently collaborated with Aboriginal artists in Brisbane and the Torres Strait to paint native flora and fauna, combined with their signature Aboriginal artwork.
One of her pieces was raffled to raise donations for the NSW bushfires victims and raised more than $5000.
The other piece she created will be used to raise money for Indigenous youth.
“Everything I paint is free. It’s my cost, my expense,” Ogden said.
“I just enjoy doing it.”
The 30-year-old has a long list of sunflowers to paint throughout the South West, which she will begin working on in the next two weeks.
To nominate places for Ogden to paint, contact liswar.sh@gmail.com.
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