A real state-of-the-art wall

Ash Johnston working on a giant mural down the alley on Park Ave next to The Happy Frog.

GRAFFITI art adds a sense of culture and style to the streets of Melbourne and now greens and purples grab your attention as you walk down Park Avenue.

A privately commissioned work next to The Happy Frog meant a huge canvas for Open Studio’s Ash Johnston and workshop regulars.

“This project was the perfect opportunity to give young people a space to paint and we started during Youth Week,” Ash said. “We have been battling with the weather and working on it piece by piece but it’s near completion.

“I’m getting my dose of vitamin D working on the wall and the feedback from people walking past has been good.” Frogs, an elephant, an iguana and fish are among the range of critters you can spot on the wall, which consists of individual sections brought together by the colour scheme and random elements creating an “organic” and “evolving” impression.

The Happy Frog’s owner, Kim Towner, was involved in organising the project.

“I’m so pleased to see it come together and everyone who worked on it was so creative, happy and engaged,” Ms Towner said.

“The wall was getting vandalised and I appreciate good street art, so to me this was a double solution. The line between vandalism and art can be grey and when permission is given, it should be allowed and not frowned upon.”

Ms Towner said art should engage those doing it and engage those looking at it and “the wall has certainly achieved that”.