Streetface 4: Ordinary Extraordinary Young People of Geelong

Geelong buildings are now covered with giant portraits of local young people as part of the City’s celebrations for National Youth Week (10-19 April).
Each of the 16 young people featured in STREETFACE have fascinating stories and were chosen by the City’s Youth Development Unit to celebrate the achievements and diversity of our local young people.
City of Greater Geelong Mayor Darryn Lyons said he loved the idea of STREETFACE which was partly based on the Humans in New York project.
“STREETFACE celebrates the young people of Geelong in a positive and artistic way through photographs and their individual stories,” said Mayor Lyons.
“I believe both art and youth should be celebrated in communities and photographer Natalie Evans has captured this beautifully.”

The City’s Youth Portfolio holder Jan Farrell said “Each person featured in STREETFACE has a great story. Whether it is working in the UN, volunteering in East Timor, overcoming disability or preserving Aboriginal language.”
“The STREETFACE project first began in Geelong in 2010 and was a joint project with The City of Greater Geelong and Diversitat.
“The project was first introduced at PakoFesta in 2010, the following year it was featured at the UCI World Championships and after that portraits were placed around the Geelong region,” said Cr Farrell.
Cr Farrell said over the years the theme of STREETFACE has changed significantly.
This year’s theme of “ordinary extraordinary young people is reflected well in Natalie’s work.”
“Every year I look forward the celebration of National Youth Week across Geelong and hope everyone enjoys this year’s version of STREETFACE.”
Ainsley (pictured), age 22
I wanted to do something about human rights issues and social injustice, so I first volunteered in East Timor then Kenya for two months. When we first walked into the village it was really shocking to see the poverty. I noticed the only extra-curricular activities were sports, so I started an art class. We cleared out a room and on my last day we did a mural and organised for some shelves to be donated and that became the library. They’ve got nothing but they are the loveliest, friendliest people and they kept thanking us for what we were doing. What they’ve given back to me is amazing.
Photographs by Natalie Evans Photography