Historian puts street art on the map

It is easy to walk past art on the streets and take little notice, whether it is tucked away down an alley or has been there for years.

But art historian Deborah Cain has created a handy art map, guiding visitors and locals to more than 60 artworks in the city.

“I love maps and I thought it’d be an interesting thing to do,” she said. “The map is creating a little bit of art history for Geraldton.”

Ms Cain, who spent more than 40 years travelling around the world, has been documenting artwork around the city since moving to Geraldton in 2014.

She said there was the potential for more art maps as the face of the city continued to change and evolve.

“If people get behind it then it would be really good because you could get a new map every two years,” she said.

“There’s new art all the time, even with this map it includes artworks that probably won’t be finished until after September.

“This sort of thing can change and there are lots of different art maps you could do. One could be about the artists or one could focus on a type of art.”

The map features street art, sculptures and architecture, highlighting well-known pieces such as the Zephyr II — located along the foreshore — to hidden secrets, such as the Octopus on the Batavia Coast Marina Boardwalk.

While many Geraldton residents know of the public art pieces, Ms Cain said few knew the stories behind them.

The Sentinel, located outside the police station, has had a colourful history — its head was stolen in 2001, replaced and then later rediscovered in Greenough.

“People can ask the artist or people can go and find the stories for themselves,” Ms Cain said.

The art map will be launched officially this weekend, with a guided tour around some of the art pieces in the city.

“The walk will include some things that aren’t on the map,” Ms Cain said. “There have been a lot of mural paintings in schools and you can’t list those on the map because they’re private property and for the children’s security.”

At the 9am launch at the foreshore tomorrow, Ms Cain will also attempt to create a living sculpture, reminiscent of French artist Edgar Degas’ bronze dancer statue.

The art maps will be sold at the launch and at the visitors’ centre.