Perfect Match Brings Collaborative Street Art to the Inner West

Residents of Marrickville are in for a treat. In a move that gives local street artists a legal blank canvas, and property owners a say in what ends up on their walls, 22 new artworks are popping up over the inner west as we speak.

It’s all part of a council initiative called Perfect Match that pairs artists with residents and business owners to transform once-boring walls (the kind that tend to lure in spray can-toting taggers) into works of art. Owners were matched with artists and collaborated to commission the works.

“With Perfect Match we’re tackling unwanted graffiti by fostering collaboration and creative expression in our public places,” says Marrickville mayor Mark Gardiner.

Now in its second year, Perfect Match has attracted internationally renowned artists including Sid Tapia, Fintan Magee, Ears and Capiche. If you’ve been wandering the streets of the inner west in the past week, you might have stumbled upon them at work. If not, the council has organised a series of tours (by bike, bus or foot) this Saturday, August 1, showcasing the work alongside a retrospective of the best existing street art in the area.

Alternatively, just download the Perfect Match program and map and take to the pavement. Highlights to check out include the illuminated installation celebrating the 50th birthday of the Petersham Water Tower by the team of multimedia geniuses at Esem Projects, the enormous pastel mural by Birdhat at new Lewisham cafe Victoria and Hobbs, and the sky-high tropical-hued masterpiece by Jumboist at the Asylum Seekers’ Centre in Newtown.

It’s all a proudly local, site-specific way to pretty up our streets. What a way to play Cupid.

Perfect Match runs July 31 - August 1. Tours run by bike, bus or foot this Saturday, August 1 in Marrickville. Head to the website for more info.

Image: Ears.