The making of a community mural (Story Book) - North Yarra ...

ear, nor denying the past, and it was important to follow the conceptual aspect that life is not without
its rocky roads, its precipitous ravines and fault lines. Obstacles and snags can give us strength and
courage. To flow over or around them can create new pathways to explore, or they can become
havens preventing us from being washed away. The wall became a metaphor for life’s journey – the
wall is long, sinuous, worn and has a less than perfect surface – it is life’s journey made solid.
We finally agreed rendering was the answer - there was no other way to let the river flow over all
those crevices and corners that old building had. It was a major shift in thinking, and to unify the
façade the brown brick wall had to be bagged, to make it look the same as the Easey Street end.
Commonality and difference – this idea became an important part of the framework for the project.
The two ends of the health centre façade were different and distinct but we wanted them to come
together as one to serve the community; a community which also has its commonalities and differences.
The mural – allowing all the observations to be articulated, the mural started to develop substance.
The two ends would be united by a long flowing raised band of render approximately 2 metres wide
across the full length of the façade, the top edge having a curving flowing line and the bottom a linear
structured line. The render background is the metaphor for life’s many layers. The mural on the wall
depicts the river as it flows through the landscape, flanked by the banks, trees, their branches and
roots. The curved tree line of the upper edge represents nature, the linear lower edge the society.
Consultation with Community – the workshops with community members confirmed the idea that
people are inspired ‘to move in the flow of the river of life for health and well-being’ by many different
things. Their journeys are explorations and adventures through the passage of time and space. On the
way their journeys are punctuated by stopping off places - meeting places, parks, cafes, clubs, homes.
Places where they come together, with community, family, friends, workmates and people whose
interests they share, to engage in activities together - eating, cooking, making art, storytelling, sport.
I enjoyed the process of the consultation immensely. Unfurling a roll of brown paper on tables, placing
stones, feathers, leaves, flowers with a blue curving line down the middle started the process. With a
whole lot of pencils, felt pens, crayons and pastels we invited everyone to draw – ‘When you come to
the river, what do you find there, what inspires you to move in its flow?’
IN THE FLOW - the making of a community mural