Spend your next weekend soaking in the sights of Geelong’s free public art scene.
Geelong is bursting at the seams with public art pitstops to check out, whether you’re a newbie to the area or a local from way back Geelong has tonnes of secret art spots that are just waiting to be discovered.
Geelong has a myriad of public art on offer, be it sculpture works, murals or street art, there’s truly something to take everyone’s fancy.
Brighten your day with all the latest art news here.
Baywalk Bollards
The Geelong bollards that are installed across the city’s waterfront are some of the most recognisable and iconic pieces of public art in the region. There are over 100 bollards plastered across the Geelong waterfront and the three-kilometre walk which runs from Limeburner’s Point all the way to Rippleside park.
The colourful characters are the work of local artist Jan Mitchell, with the bollards documenting key characters in the city’s past and present. The bollards stand at over two metres tall and are adorned in several different costumes to showcase the local legend they represent. There’s a group of ladies in neck-to-knee bathing costumes, 1930’s lifesavers, a Cats footy player, sailors, fishermen and a town band. The entire waterfront walk by the bollards takes around 2 hours one way, so strap on your sneakers and get to seeing the ever-iconic Baywalk Bollards.
View this post on Instagram
Solace
Solace is a memorial art installation at Limeburner’s Point dedicated to anyone affected by road trauma. The installation designed by Don Walters was delivered by the City of Greater Geelong in partnership with the transport Accident Commission. Solace depicts the phases of the moon, overlooking the water at Corio Bay. The memorial piece is a place for quiet contemplation and reflection, and whilst it was commissioned to be a memorial for those affected by road trauma it is the perfect place for a quiet moment of reflection away from the bustling streets of Geelong. The phases of the moon symbolise the stages of grief in this case. Symbolising the journey from loss toward acceptance and hope. It is Victoria’s first state-wide Memorial and is located right on the foreshore of Corio Bay.
North
North is another iconic art installation in the Geelong region at the termination end of Moorabool Street (on the waterfront). The exhibition by Mark Stoner consists of seven cement objects, varying in size from about 2 to 3.5 metres. The objects represent sails or fins, with no two positioned on the same plane the sculpture profiles change dramatically. The series of sculptures is hard to miss due to its extra-large size. If you’re a regular visitor to the waterfront at Geelong you would’ve seen North, and if you haven’t yet had the chance to see the cement sculptures in the flesh you should add North to your list of public art to check out.
View this post on Instagram
Cargo Boxes
Nestled in Customs House Forecourt Park are a series of unassuming glass and brass boxes. The boxes, aptly named Cargo Boxes are much more that meets the eye, the glass boxes double as an epic art installation, available for free public viewing 24 hours a day! The Cargo Box art installation is a piece by Maggie Fookes and Bill Perrin. Each glass and brass box contains varying sculptures and artefacts that recognise some of Geelong’s early imports. The Cargo Boxes look unassuming from above, but they’re a piece to stop by if you’re a fan of all things sculpture art and Geelong history. The boxes are fitted out with internal lighting that even doubles as a stunning light feature once the sun goes down.
Furl
Furl is a newer piece to the Geelong public art scene, with eh installation being installed this year! The piece is a refurbished steel flagpole, created by visual artist Robbie Rowlands. Robbie Rowland is a Melbourne visual artist whose work is renowned for bending the rules of stability and exploring vulnerability. He does this through the manipulation of objects and environments, his work also features repetitive and precise cuts that help to reflect the inescapable passing of time. Furl is an exploration of expectations; the piece depicts a flagpole that has been bent and distorted to appear capable of movement. Furl is located opposite Café Go, on the corner of Bellarine and Little Malop Street.
View this post on Instagram
I Am
The I Am sculpture has arrived at a more permanent home after an earlier stint at Eastern Beach, the sculpture, which weighs an enormous 4 tonnes per letter has been relocated to Austin Park in Lara. The I Am sculpture is an art installation that is celebrating people who have a lived experience with disability. The City of Greater Geelong commissioned the public art sculpture from Mark Cuthbertson with artist collaborators Robert Croft, Hannah Wilkinson, Christian Den Besten and George Macaronis to develop the sculpture. The sculpture was based on more than 85 contributions from the local community through a series of artist led workshops. The sculpture is interactive by design, imploring viewers to take a selfie with the installation and post it with the hashtag #IAMGeelong, that will help to showcase the diversity in our local community. The sculpture won’t be around forever, so be sure to get in quick with the piece moving on later this year.
Powerhouse
The Geelong Powerhouse which has been abandoned for over 45 years is now home to some of North Geelong’s most iconic public art pieces. The Powerhouse is now used as a legal Artspace for local street artists. Because of this, Powerhouse is home to hundreds of different art pieces by a huge number of local artists. The styles are varied, and you can truly spend hours lost in the art works. Its over 3000 square metres, with every available space chock full of various art produced by locals. Even the staircases are adorned with street art. It’s a completely unique experience and is one that shouldn’t be missed if you’re an artist or an art lover alike. The only downside is this one is on private property, so you need to get permission from the owner before you head on out.
View this post on Instagram
Women’s Street Art Commission
Earlier this year, a group of female street artists were commissioned to help breathe life into some of Geelong’s walls, carparks, and laneways. There were 19 women involved in the project, with their art everywhere from Minns Lane, Ryrie street, Little Malop and a whole lot more. The aim of the project was to not only inject vibrancy and colour into the city centre, but to also increase the representation of women in street art. You can find works from Baby Guerrilla, Jasmine Crisp, Lucy Lucy, Minna Leunig and VKM as well as a bunch of other immensely talented women. You can find the full list of artist and locations via the Geelong Australia website with the Women’s Street Art commission a must see for anyone wanting to explore the city and see what these talented women have to offer.
View this post on Instagram
Street Art
Geelong is a city that is bursting with street art. Geelong is a hotbed for up-and-coming street artists, and world-renowned artists alike. A short stroll through Little Malop street will see you discovering various murals paste-ups and stencils that help bring these ordinarily dull urban spaces to life. There’s a local program pioneered by local boy and world-renowned artist RONE encouraging artist engagement. Little Malop Street is the place to start your street art journey through Geelong, but the city is bustling with various art pieces, just don’t be afraid to look around and uncover the beauty of Geelong!
