A new street art ‘precinct’ is launching in Geelong from the same crew that brought us the incredible Powerhouse
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08.04.2021

A new street art ‘precinct’ is launching in Geelong from the same crew that brought us the incredible Powerhouse

Transforming the 100-year-old Corio Distillery Malthouse.

Chances are if you live in Geelong you’ve already heard of the Powerhouse, Geelong’s hot spot for street art.

Hailed as Australia’s street art mecca, the old abandoned building in North Geelong has been turned into a graffiti haven where more than 350 street artists from Geelong, Victoria and Australia have all come to add their work.

The six-storey-high walls, industrial staircases, windows and rooms become a canvas for innovative designs, among them a giant piece by local hero Rone, Australian artist Adnate and the brilliant ‘Nude Selfies’ by anonymous Australian street artist Lushsux.

Offering a space to legally create ephemeral street art, artists have used sprays, stencils and brushes to produce a bold of array of designs on concrete, glass, brick, metal … just about any surface they can find.

Well now Ian Ballis, the wizard behind the Powerhouse is back at it again, creating another industrial arts space.

Coined Malt House Geelong and located at the southern hemisphere’s largest (former) distillery in Corio, you’ll find six unique buildings offering over 3000 sqm of art space, positioned on three acres of land.

Here, Ballis is in the midst of creating a vibrant arts precinct, which he’s slowly been working on over the last three years.

Inspiring and unique, much like the Powerhouse, the Malt House will have consistently new art and an evolving experience for regular visitors.

The six-storey high walls, industrial staircases, windows and rooms will be covered in cutting edge street art to become a collaboration of brilliant artworks. Surfaces of glass, concrete, metal and brick were sprayed, stencilled and brushed in vibrant colours, shapes and lines to produce an awe-inspiring urban landscape.

Artists have already been creating some stunning ephemeral street art, including the likes of KEZAM, Jonydee, Lucerne, local airbrush artist Rushy, graffiti artist Mikey xxi, and Melbourne’s ‘Silly’ Sully among many more.

What’s more, the building is located trackside on the Melbourne railway line, so art featured at Malt House will have new viewers and an ever-changing audience of the finest pieces in the most sought-after spaces. A huge win for the street artists.

Keep your eyes on their socials for the launch. If the Powerhouse is anything to go by, we’re in for a real treat.