SYDNEY.- 34 visual artists, including two indigenous artists, an artist from Mexico, interstate and local and emerging artists will be involved in one of the largest street art projects in Sydney when they paint 23 walls - around 1,500 square metres - in Sydney’s Caringbah as part of one of Sydney’s largest crime prevention programs to stop graffiti, tagging and vandalism. The project is also being keenly watched by four other councils in Sydney.

The project called Walk the Walls (March 2 – 4, 2018) will be a three day festival where people are encouraged to view the artists at work as they begin their large-scale murals. Walk the Walls is curated by Phibs the nom de plume of Tim De Haan, a notable street artist. This is a joint project between the NSW Department of Justice and Sutherland Shire Council. Hazelhurst Art Centre is supporting this festival with its own Walk the Walls exhibition to coincide with the festival.

Sutherland Shire Council has had such success with much smaller scale street art projects in the past that Council has decided to make this street art project more of a festival to illustrate that art reduces crime.

Sutherland Shire Mayor, Carmelo Pesce said in some areas in the Shire where we have engaged street artists for very small projects , the crime and graffiti has reduced by almost 85 per cent. Walk the Walls is by far the largest street art commission Council has ever undertaken. We are supporting more public art in the Shire as street art is a flourishing arts culture. Street art decreases graffiti, revitalises neglected spaces, develops a positive relationship with young people and is a boost to the local economy.

Curator of Walk the Walls, Phibs said this is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the work of many street artists and will bring colour to the streets of Caringbah. This kind of project will heighten community ownership of public spaces. I am looking forward to working with these outstanding artists who will completely transform the walls and streets giving a new identity to this area.

List of artists: Zac Bennett Brook, Oz King, Maid, Lord Mischief & Camo, Mulga, Mayonaize & Peque, Onejessa, Ears, Pudl & Snarl, George Rose & Phibs, Mistery, Porno Graphics, Whom & Keys, Scott Marsh, Born Ready Art, Georgia Hill, Nico & Studio Dennis, Nicole Reed, Suchis & AWOL Creations, Karen Farmer, YOWA, Krimsone, Mike Watt, WIE 2 & Sven and Camo.

Streets where artists will be working in Caringbah: Corner of Denman Avenue and the Kingsway; 344R Kingsway; 346A Kingsway; Park Lane, rear of 324-340 Kingsway; Park Lane, rear of 4-8 Park Lane; 9 - 13 President Avenue and Hay Avenue.