Swift move by PKC to add colour to city wall
Perth could become the first city in the UK to feature a permanent display of artwork created by a world-renowned street artist favoured by pop star Taylor Swift.
Council bosses hope to persuade Kelsey Montague to create a unique mural to be put on permanent display on the side of a building in the city’s Bridge Lane, opposite Perth Concert Hall.
The New York-based painter is famed for her wing-inspired artworks and Grammy Award winner Swift once commissioned her to create one to put on display in her hometown of Nashville, Tennessee.
Paperwork sent to planners shows local authority leaders want to see something similar across the road from Perth Concert Hall with illustrations depicting flowers resembling wings on the side of 4-6 Bridge Lane, which is currently occupied by gift shop Precious Sparkle.
But it is said in the paperwork the design of the piece, which it is envisioned will be lit up at night as part of a council strategy to brighten corners across Perth for nighttime visitors, won’t be finalised until Montague has seen the site for herself.
The council’s city development project officer, Alan Farnington, said in a preliminary design statement: “Following, and as part of the Mill Street Art commission in 2018, a number of artists have been made aware of the ambitions to animate Perth with interactive and/or illuminated public art which can engage with the public and subsequently have expressed a desire to be involved with achieving this.
“Kelsey Montague is an American mural artist who is known for her wing-inspired artworks on the walls of major cities like New York and Buenos Aires [and] has works throughout the US, Australia, Europe, Africa, and Central America. Her work has also been displayed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
“The New York-based painter is a welltravelled muralist, who loves to incorporate her experiences into her work - she emerged as one of the most admired artists on social media with over 150,000 followers on Instagram.
“One of the biggest reasons behind her popularity among the younger generation is that she encourages them to express themselves on social media through her art. Her artworks have found mentions in several notable publications like ‘Forbes’ and ‘Mashable’.
“Kelsey has works displayed all over the world but to date no sites of permanent works in the UK. Subsequently, this provides Perth with an opportunity to be showcased as well as that of the art work.
“As a result, and after discussions and agreement with the building owners and occupiers, we are looking to commission a permanent art work which will be displayed in a public area within the city centre.
“The art piece at this location is a contemporary modern artwork that provides an interactive attraction for visitors, residents and workers, as well as supporting the development of the City of Light Action Plan, The Perth City Plan and the Perth Vennels Plan.”