Daisy Knight wants her artwork in Ethel Hayton Walkway to brighten up people’s days. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
You never know what you’ll find in the laneways and back streets of Wollongong’s CBD.
The latest intriguing find is a series of art pieces offering “portals” into a chaotic place where things don’t need to make sense and are just … silly.
Wollongong-based artist Daisy Knight (DAISYATTACK!) has transformed eight art light boxes in Ethel Hayton Walkway, linking the art precinct in Burelli Street with lower Crown Street.
The works, which Daisy calls Welcome to My Silly World, embrace the joy of making a mess. Bursting in neon colours, the artwork invites people to tap into their playful side and explore the various cute and unhinged characters on display.
Daisy said she wanted to create something that would just “brighten up people’s days”.
“Maybe give them a fun game of I Spy to see which is their favourite monster. A bit of whimsy and a bit of fun in the city,” she said.
Daisy, who has ADHD, bounces between materials and ideas, often using trash to build immersive worlds.
For this latest work, her colourful universe and its eccentric monsters were built from cardboard, expandable foam, papier-mâché, foam clay, neon paint and other random bits she had been hoarding.
“I like this idea of finding something and then giving it a new life,” she said.
“Art is such a powerful form of self-expression. What was basically garbage can be transformed into monsters.
“Everyone should be making stuff out there. Play with some clay. It’s good for the soul!”
The Ethel Hayton light boxes debuted in 2013, offering a public space for artists to showcase their artworks.
The laneway is named after one of Wollongong’s cultural figures, Ethel Hayton, who was a flamboyant journalist and author who championed the local arts scene and helped fund the city’s art gallery.
It’s one of the initiatives under Wollongong City Council’s Public Art Strategy that encourages the activation of public spaces with art.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown welcomed the splash of colour and creativity to the laneway.
“Every day, many people move through here from Crown Street to the Arts Precinct, so it’s wonderful that the space can spark some creativity. I always enjoy the wide variety of exhibitions that spend time in this space,” she said.
“It’s lovely that this laneway is also alongside some of our city’s well-known creative spaces, the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre and Wollongong Art Gallery.
“Daisy’s exhibition can show other budding artists what is possible. It shows how your work can reimagine the way people interact and engage with outdoor places.”
The installation will be on show until September.
For more information about Public Art across Wollongong, visit council’s Public Art webpage.
