The streets of Adelaide's CBD will be a little warmer this winter, thanks to the ingenious street art installation from emerging Adelaide artists Timmi Tsapaliaris and Tara O'conal.
The two artists have been thrust into the forefront of Adelaide's street art scene thanks to their unique design of scaled up knitting stitches that elegantly line the walls of Anster and York Street. The giant knitted stitches give the CBD a much needed warm and cosy feel, juxtaposing the otherwise cold, dull concrete walls.
Timmi and Tara's innovative paste-ups are helping to build a new public acceptance of street art, with the pair even receiving the full support of the Adelaide City Council's Public Art Team to create the unique masterpiece. Timmi explains how the project came about: When did you first start getting into street art?
This project was our first attempt at putting our art up on the streets. We were drawn to the idea of working outside the gallery space and our studios. The new environment brought about its own challenges and rewards. Experiencing the making of the work whilst people walked by was refreshing and a little unnerving.
Have you always been into paste-ups, or have you been involved in other forms of street art as well?
The ephemeral life of the paste-up was something that attracted us to the medium. We had not used paper in that way before.
How did you and Tara first meet and start collaborating?We met and became friends through art school (Adelaide Central School Of Art). We had put a group show together for the Adelaide Fringe Festival, and worked collaboratively for a SALA Festival (South Australian Living Artists). This project has been the biggest thing we have collaborated on to date.
Where did you get the idea for the knitting paste up? Are you both into knitting or cross stitch?
We were looking at everyday culture and traditions and wanted to reference something that wouldn’t normally exist as street art. There has been a revival in craft traditions; the knitting bomb is an example, I guess this was our own version of it.
How do you think the stitch piece has been received by the public so far?We’ve been pleased with the feedback, it’s been positive from both the public and the City Council. The knitting pattern is not obvious to everyone that comes across it, but it’s interesting what people do identify in the pattern. One woman said it reminded her of an excel spreadsheet; I don’t think she was that keen on it. Another man said it looked like pretzels. In either case, it was the shift in the environment that people noticed.
Is the paste up starting to be covered over with other pieces, or have other artists respected the piece and left it alone?
Last time we saw it had been pretty well left alone, but we’re excited to see how it might change during its 6-month life.
How did you manage to get the support of the council for the project?We spoke to members of the Art Team and they were very helpful throughout our grant application process. They contacted building owners on our behalf, but unfortunately no one responded. In the end the council were kind enough to offer us wall space of two buildings they owned.
Do you think city councils, both in Adelaide and across the country, are beginning to change their attitude to street art and graffiti by supporting and promoting it, rather than spending money to remove it?
They were certainly open to our idea, and are definitely supportive of art that has considered how it will affect the space and its environment. We applied for a Public Art Grant through the Adelaide City Council, so there is definitely an interest in working with artists to facilitate their creative ideas.
Do you think the general public as a whole are much more accepting of street art and graffiti today?We’d like to think so. There is definitely a call for public art from cultural festivals and councils among others, and this support promotes the idea that art outside the gallery should be appreciated and celebrated.
How does the Adelaide street art scene compare with that of other Australian cities like Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne? Is it in its infancy still?
I feel like if Hobart was included in the mix, we’d sit somewhere in the middle. The output is probably not as strong here, but what is put out is rich with gesture, as you simply don’t come by it as often.
Who are some of your favourite street artists from Adelaide?
Peter Drew has been sharing his ‘Real Australians Say Welcome’ project online, and we’ve seen his posters popping up around the city. He’s taken on the role of street artist and activist and we admire his tenacity.
Are there any future projects of the same scale in the pipeline?We are both graduating at the end of the year, so all of our efforts are working towards that graduate exhibition.
Timmi & Tara's 'Laneway Paste-Up Project' lines the walls of Anster and York Street until September.
