Spray can impressionism

180025 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

A new wetlands-inspired artwork is brightening up Dandenong’s pocket park.

Artist Baden Johnson used aerosol cans to paint Aspects of Healthy Bay Wetlands in the space, which connects Palm Plaza and Lonsdale Street.

He said he enjoyed lots of positive interactions with local people during his five days on site.

“I’m creating impressionism with a spray can,” he said.

“With this mural I used street art tools but I have painted this work like a painter rather than a street artist.

“People came back every day to see the progress.

“This artwork brings real locations into the urban environment.”

Greater Dandenong’s own wetlands inspired the piece, which will stay in place for two years.

Johnson’s work has previously featured in popular Melbourne laneways including ACDC Lane and Hosier Lane, and he was involved in the council’s after-dark art program, Nocturnal.

The new work is part of the council’s temporary public art collection which aims to highlight undervalued spaces and create places of interest for people as they traverse the city.

More than 35 temporary projects have been undertaken as part of Transformed – a temporary public arts program for Greater Dandenong’s Activity Centres.