Automobile art to greet drivers

GREASED lightning will deck the stairwells of Dandenong’s Thomas Street carpark in an artist’s tribute to 1960s and ‘70s automobiles.
Artists Ash Nolan and Helen Pollard are painting a series of collages featuring advertising slogans and car images from golden eras.
City of Greater Dandenong place manager Jenny Pemberton-Webb said the artwork was displayed on the pillars of the stairwell.
“The works are inspired from old advertising material and have been re-configured into an art-form through their composition and placement,” she said.
“Life in the suburbs simply wasn’t possible without access to a reliable car.
Owning a car was as much an icon of Australian lifestyle as owning a house.”
Ms Pemberton Webb said the artwork was designed to create a point of interest in what was an otherwise cold and grey backdrop.
“This is a great initiative bringing surprise and delight to car park users who are normally greeted by concrete and stainless steel,” she said.
“The artwork is bound to spark memories of the first car people ever owned.”
‘Car culture and the Great Australian Dream” is one of a number of temporary artworks on display at Thomas St car park.
Other art work include LIFT OFF 1973 – a work by Clare McCracken in the Thomas Street car park lift which takes inspiration from a 1970s suburban interior.