Spontaneous and Uncommissioned

This mural, incorporates two artworks, self portrait, 2009 by Jason Wing and we grew here, 2009 by Vernon Ah Kee, which were painted one afternoon in 2009 spontaneously by the artists on the wall of the former office of Australian Design Centre in Church Laneway, Surry Hills.

At the time, Vernon and Jason were part of the Object Gallery exhibition, Seize / Collide curated by Nicole Forshew.

Since then, Sydney has become a canvas for public art, but back then it was rare to see such a spontaneous and uncommissioned artwork by two First Nations artists.

This mural has been recreated for Object Space by Jason Wing as part of ADC’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

Jason also recently worked with ADC to produce the Gadigal Mural at the rear of the Centre in Barnett Lane, Darlinghurst. Designed by Jason, with First Nations Creative Producers Dennis Golding and Lucy Simpson, Gadigal Mural is a collaborative artwork referencing both the topographical patterning and material culture of Gadigal Country.

Image: Jason Wing, self portrait, 2009. Photo: Courtesy of ADC