Corporates bankroll street artists
Wesfarmers has cemented its reputation as WA's leading corporate supporter of the arts by throwing its weight behind the PUBLIC: Art in the City project.
The Perth-based conglomerate, which owns one of Australia's most valuable art collections, is investing in the initiative, which will see some of the world's best street artists use city walls, lanes and other public places as giant canvasses.
The festival opened on the weekend and runs until April 13.
As part of the nine-day event, Wesfarmers has installed in the foyer of its headquarters on The Esplanade a piece by well-known Aboriginal artist Reko Rennie.
The company's art manager, Helen Carroll, said Rennie's work, entitled Big Red packed a "visual punch".
She urged other WA firms to get involved in PUBLIC.
"For a relatively modest investment you can do something pretty stunning without being committed for the long term," she said.
