Australia’s most recognisable street artist, Rone, proves once again he’s about more than just a pretty face as he puts his paintbrush to Perth’s hottest new development.
A name to a face
Tyrone Wright, or Rone as he is better known, is the Aussie street artist widely credited for putting Melbourne on the map in the earlier part of this century. Big kudos for a 37 year old, whose signature style of expressive, large-scale paintings of women’s faces has now seen him elevated to one of the nation’s most commercially successful, internationally recognised street artists. His larger-than-life female muses peer out from raw concrete canvases beneath overpasses and on walls throughout London, Paris, New York, Havana, Mexico City, and Hong Kong.
Today his work has crossed over from the streets and can be found just as often on the walls of galleries, with Rone contributing to permanent collections at the National Gallery of Australia and the NGV. However, it’s his temporary street at that keeps his die-hard fans glued to his Instagram, eagerly await his next reveal. Rone’s work consistently explores ideas of the transient nature of beauty, the strength and fragility of women and the juxtaposition between beauty and the street. The artist and his work maintain an enigmatic quality, because while a piece can be there one day, it may be gone the next.
“Nothing lasts forever, I think something becomes its most beautiful when it is in a fragile state, its preciousness encourages you to appreciate it for what is now, as it may soon be gone,” Rone says.
Happening at Hibernian Place
The Geelong-born artist spearheaded Melbourne’s fledgling street art movement in the early 2000s as a member of the Everfresh crew, and BGC Development is now hoping the internationally renowned street artist does the same for Perth’s exciting new Hibernian Place precinct. Launching late April, Hibernian Place is home to the eagerly awaited 368-room, five- star Westin Perth as well as a lively and eclectic mix of bars, cafes and restaurants including ‘Garum’ restaurant by Guy Grossi, a coffee roastery by Mary Street Bakery, Huxtaburger from Melbourne, an all-day eatery by Graham Arthur, a rooftop bar by Andy Freeman and Uber’s Perth headquarters as the major commercial tenant. It will also, of course, feature an original Rone spanning the 22m high, 22 metre wide wall facing Hay St in Perth CBD’s east end.
Developing an icon
“We are thrilled this collaboration with Rone, such a well-respected Australian artist, is the preview piece to what we have planned for Hibernian Place,” says Ross Catalano, General Manager of BGC Development. “The striking artwork sets the tone of this lively and creative precinct where visitors can come to be inspired, experience a mix of Perth’s best cafes and restaurants and enjoy world-class hospitality.
“It complements the work we are doing with the increasingly active Historic Heart project that is breathing new life into the East End of the CBD and creating a truly identifiable neighbourhood.”
The talented artist will complete the entire mural freehand with a multi-faceted approach – creating layers with tools including brushes, rollers and spray.
Art consultant Lisa Reeves of Design Theory assisted BGC Development in commissioning Rone to paint the monochromatic, large-scale female face.
“Rone was selected for several reasons: his ability to express beauty in an unexpected way; his experience in large scale works in urban settings; his conceptual alignment with temporary environments; and the broad appeal of his work,” Lisa says.
Rone started on site January 19 and the installation process will last for up to three weeks, so catch him while he’s hot at Hibernian Place, 480 Hay St in Perth’s East end.
Visit: http://hibernianplace.com.au