Renowned chalk artist Fiona Cracknell has taken a stab at a new mural for Hume.
Hume council has run a Murals of Hume competition, encouraging artists to design murals to go within the area, including one for the outside of the Gladstone Park shopping centre, and Ms Cracknell decided to put her talents to use for the community.
“I wanted to apply for it as a member of the Gladstone Park community and put a splash of colour in the city,” she said.
“As a resident of Gladstone park for over 14 years, I definitely have a strong connection to this beautiful suburb.
The mural features some iconic Gladstone Park landmarks, which Ms Cracknell decided on by consulting with local residents.
“A number of suggestions came in and I have incorporated their voice into my mural,” she said. “Each image has a symbolic meaning to the local community.
“Highlights of these were helicopters, airplanes, sporting clubs, the chicken shop, kangaroos, native animals and birds.
“I have also incorporated the nationalities of the community and most importantly I mentioned the Indigenous heritage of the land, the Wurundjeri people.”
Ms Cracknell’s chalk journey began during the pandemic, but she has since branched out to pieces for the community, including sporting clubs and birthday parties.
“I started drawing in 2020 during the lockdown to entertain my daughter and my local neighbours,” she said.
”I never studied it, however I absolutely love drawing and seeing the faces of people who enjoy it, makes it all worth it.”
Council will make its decision before year’s end, and the winner of the competition will be commissioned to paint their mural on the wall of the Gladstone Park shopping centre.
Gerald Lynch
