Perfect Match 2016

Overview

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

It's all part of a council initiative called Perfect Match (running August 5-7) 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 third year, Perfect Match has attracted internationally renowned artists including Sid Tapia, Fintan Magee, Ears and Capiche. This year, Tapia and Capiche are back, along with Mulga The Artist, Jumboist, Mandy Schöne-Salter, Akisiew, Alex Lehours, Steven Nuttall, Tiera Boo, Camo, Nitsua, HA HA, Thomas Jackson.

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 6 and Sunday, August 7, showcasing the work. Alternatively, just download the Perfect Match program and map and take to the pavement.

Free events will be happening over the weekend including the Stencil Art Prize on Saturday, August 6 at Marrickville Bowling Club, an afternoon of live art and music, artists applying large scale paste-ups, and an art market on Faversham Street. On Sunday, August 7 August, it's all eyes on Camperdown, with free events will be taking place at Camperdown Park, Camperdown Commons, and local artist Sarah Harvie is holding collaborative workshops for her giant inflatable project Roll With It in Camperdown Park.

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

Tours run by bike, bus or foot this Saturday, August 1 in Marrickville. Head to the website for more info.

Image: Askiew, Elixir Photography/Perfect Match.