Outpost

Overview

Whims can get a wee bit specific. Want a big street art show? Free? On an Island? Done. Big, free and on Cockatoo Island, the five week Outpost festival offers a changing roster of street art, artists and entertainment to keep you ferrying out for a fresh look. Though some arms of government use graffiti sites to arm their arrest warrants, this one using its internet savy to fill the island with a flow of interstate and overseas talent.

The lineup would be dominated by Aussie luminaries like Meggs, May's Lane and Reka, if it wasn't already overshadowed by work from international stencil superstar Banksy. The Banksy stuff is mainly from a private collection, but the equally big Belgian muralist Roa will show up in person (Qantas shenanigans allowing) to paint a gargantuan animal over an island wall the weekend of November 4-5. Will Coles' work will be on show, his concrete graffiti a staple of Newtown streets, as well as fellow Newtown star Mox, the Kirbyesque Zap and Melbournian maestras Vextra and Deb.

Saturdays during the festival, Secret Wars will host art battles, while Shadow Wars hosts a one off battle of dance and Skateboard Australia presents a grand final. You can also check out Brazilian import Ethos blowing up his sketches up from the tiny to the huge, after Buff Diss taking his turn to spend a week to do interesting things with masking tape.

Image of Roa's Rodent by visualpun.ch