Welcome to Newcastle’s former aerosol art paradise.
Newcastle City is separated from the Pacific Ocean by a sandy strip called Newcastle Beach, shown below. Rocks divide the beach into “Newcastle Beach” and “South Newcastle Beach” – not to be confused with “South Newcastle” – a precinct that does not exist. But if it did, residents would rename it "The Hill."
Newcastle Beach and - on the further side of the rocks, Newcastle South Beach - in 2004. It was deserted because, perhaps, Desperate Housewives was on TV. Or, speaking of desperate, the Knights were trying yet again to regain the glory days of yore.
A seaside graffiti venue briefly existed at the south end, near the
now-demolished Royal Newcastle Hospital, center of picture. A panorama below
shows it’s extent, stretching along the beach wall of Shortland Esplanade and
including the amenities buildings.
This was Newcastle’s own “5 Pointz" – and like that famous New York sister zone, it’s gone. The city had
another ‘5 Pointz’ venue, the
Palais Royal, a dance hall from last century. Conforming to Newcastle tourism
sensitivites, it too is gone.
The wall and change rooms in October 2004. Click the photo to open an interactive panorama. Click, drag, or gesture to navigate the enlarged image.
Legalised in 2005, when council rejected a zero-tolerance approach to
graffiti, the “aerosol art agreement” used a register of artist to work in
three areas: free-form, senior artists, and murals.
In April 2010
Newcastle City Council – a formerly street-art-tolerant council – both shut
down the registered writers’ venue and banned legal aerosol art walls anywhere
in the local government area.
Some consider wall art “a blight on our
city” while others believe graffiti is minimised by allowing legal spaces for
artists.
Since the closure, murals and street art in Newcastle have
flourished, due to both commissioned professional works and initiatives like
the Public Art Program, Pride of Place, and Revitalise Newcastle.
The Walls and the Tunnel in 2004
Two walls feature below. One is the wall at the skate park beside Shortland
Esplanade’s eastern end.
The other is a short wall beside Church Street
where it meets Shortland Esplanade.
Finally we have a look at the tunnel.
Were it anything but a tunnel, it was collapse from the weight of paint.
"South Newcastle" Beach
Change rooms
Skate park looking south
Shortland Esplanade wall
South tunnel emerges onto the beach at left
Wall - some details
Church Street Wall
South Tunnel
Former Royal Newcastle Hospital in background
West side of the tunnel, accessed via steps from the street.
Tunnel interior, south wall (below)
Tunnel interior, north wall (below)
More to come.... note to self (Throsby):
PROMENADE, SOUTH TUNNEL, AND SOUTH WALL IN 2005
PROMENADE, SOUTH TUNNEL, AND SOUTH WALL IN 2007
PROMENADE, SOUTH
TUNNEL, AND SOUTH WALL IN 2008