Artists, gardeners and knitters have created a "guerrilla gallery" at the historic St George’s Terrace in Parramatta, in protest at the proposed demolition of two of the city’s most significant heritage-listed buildings.
The NSW government is proposing to demolish St Georges Terrace and the historic Willow Grove, to make way for the construction of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS).
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Global Gardens Australia and The Craze Collective have installed seven artworks created by local artists and revamped the garden display installed at the site by the Guerrilla Gardeners TV show in 2011.
The artworks symbolise the significance of Willow Grove and the St Georges Terrace and were produced by a diverse team of creators including Konig, Skae, Kristi McLellan, Craze, Mwaniki Wa-Gichia, Zezey, and Jenny Chiu Hwa May.
“Our shared heritage must be preserved, because to know where we are going we must know where we have come from,” said Global Gardens CEO, Richie May.
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The Knitters of MAAS Decoration have also joined forces and yarn bombed the site.
The group of artists and creatives planned the artwork online and came together to transform parts of the site with bright and brilliant artwork.
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“The state government has left this place to rot,” said Craze. “I didn't like driving past and seeing what has become of this once thriving area plus I love finding new ways to communicate my art and colour my community.”
The Construction, Forestry, Mining, Maritime and Energy Union (CFMMEU) has placed a Green Ban on the two historic buildings, preventing members from starting any work on these culturally significant buildings.
Community backing for the artistic revamp includes Home and Away star Shane Withington, the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, CFMMEU, North Parramatta Residents Action Group, Brislington Medical and Nursing Museum and the Powerhouse Museum Alliance.