Schools in Sutherland Shire are getting brighter by the minute thanks to the whirlwind creations of Mulga the mural maker.
Joel Moore, the Miranda artist better known as Mulga, has put the finishing touches on his latest project at De La Salle Catholic College Caringbah.
It’s a collaboration between Mulga and Indigenous artist and former teacher Zachary Bennett Brook .
“I've worked with the school for a few years doing workshops with select art classes but this year we took it to the next level to do a big mural,” Moore said.
“Zac and myself don't do many – none really – collaboration murals with other artists so this one was a great opportunity and our art styles work really well together.
“It may be the first of many collaborative murals between us two.”
Brook recently painted at Taren Point Public School and is this week painting at Brighton-Le-Sands Public School.
Together they painted at the Walk the Walls street art festival at Caringbah earlier this year, and their murals are situated on either side of the Kingsway.
“It’s cool that we've now joined up to create an exciting new mural at one of the closest schools to where the festival was held,” Moore said.
“Zachary took four days to complete his part and it’s taken me 11 days to complete mine. It’s the second largest mural in terms time taken that I've ever done and one of my best. It's very detailed. “
De La Salle teacher Natalie McCaffrey says the project has been a year in the making.
“It’s come up beautifully and really gives the students ownership,” she said.
“Many of the symbols like the five-pointed star and image of St John Baptist reflect the history and tradition of the college.
“The Indigenous pattern that runs throughout the entire mural also represents our deep respect for the traditional custodians of our land.”
She says students were already familiar with Mulga’s work.
“Joel has been coming to our college since 2014 to host art workshops with our students,” she said.
“As an art educator, one of the things I place a huge emphasis on is developing community partnerships with local artists and professionals. It not only gives students the opportunity to learn from experts and practitioners, but it also creates a more authentic, engaging and enjoyable learning experience.
“Also our Indigenous students have especially built strong relationships working with Zac.”
A trip to Japan is next on the cards for Moore, followed by manning a stall at Cronulla Spring Festival on the weekend.
