A Colourful Past

2 July 2018

A Colourful Past

Renowned street artist Heesco has returned to Dandenong Market to create a new artwork outside 18 Grams Cafe.

Heesco’s artwork draws inspiration from a historical photo of a stall at Dandenong Market, taken in the 1970s. Additionally, Heesco’s modern reworking of the historical photograph complements the existing murals featuring historical photographs, located at Rosling Lane and Huckson Alley.

“I was provided with a few old photographs taken around the Dandenong Markets in the ’60s and ’70s, all black and white photographs,” said Heesco.

“I decided to use the image of the girls with the birds in cages. As I looked at the image, I couldn’t help but imagine the colours of the birds. I decided to add many bright colours to the original photograph and create a bright fun addition to the Market.”

This is Heesco’s second piece at Dandenong Market. Earlier this year he created a stunning 30 metre mural along the market’s King Street facade, Year of the Wolf.

Heesco’s artwork follows the installation of new dining furniture and festoon lighting that have been added to the area to create a break out and dining space for market visitors.

To visit the artwork, head to the liftwell in Market Square, near The Terrace. The artwork is located on the northern external facade of the liftwell, adjacent to 18 Grams Cafe.

A Colourful Past was commissioned by Dandenong Market as part of our street art programme. Other artworks include The Phoenix Rises by Bonsai, Year of the Wolf by Heesco, In Bloom by Heesco, Childhood Dream by Kenz as well as To Market To Market by Kaff-Eine.

About Heesco

Heesco is a celebrated muralist and fine artist recognised for his stylistically diverse and prolific work. His experimental, emotive and genre defying artworks cross effortlessly between fine art, street art, and illustration.

Born and raised in Mongolia, Heesco moved to Australia in 1999.

With a lengthy resume spanning well over 15 years of gallery exhibitions, private and public mural commissions, numerous publications and projects under his belt, Heesco is a highly skilled craftsman with a unique concept driven vision all of his own.

Heesco has completed various high profile projects, some of the recent ones include “A Twist at Every Turn” campaign for Visit Victoria; mural for World’s 50 Best event in Melbourne; Weethalle Silo Art – a 22 metre mural in rural NSW; collaborative mural with indigenous artist Dennis Golding for “Andrew’s Hub” – NEP offices in Sydney; Community Mural project in Nhulunbuy, NT; organising and coordinating murals for the United Nations in Mongolia, as well as providing the cover image for the recent issue of Griffiths Review – “Perils of Populism”.

Heesco is also a regular collaborator with the world-renowned Attica restaurant, and is a subject of a mini documentary currently in production, due to be released early 2018.

Heesco is the winner of 2017 Footscray Art Prize, 2013 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize finalist, and two-time winner of Secret Wars live art battle competition.

To view more of Heesco’s work, visit his Instagram, Facebook or website.