Mural artist Simon Sawell will give a talk and conduct a tour of the Italian inspired precinct at The Galleria, Ettalong Beach, on Sunday, June 26, at 2.30pm.
Interested people will meet Sawell in Toto’s Bar & Trattoria lounge room where the wandering will start with reproductions of Italian Renaissance works by artists Titian, Michelangelo, and Tiepolo.
“Michelangelo is the undisputed king (of the Renaissance) and Titian has his place,” Sawell said.
“My favourite is the Tiepolo family of painters.”
Next on the meander will be the reproductions in Cinema Paradiso theatres.
A feature are the murals of Botticelli’s the Birth of Venus depicted on six arches and the extravagance of The Universe painted on the ceiling of Cinema 6.
“Half the story of the murals is in the subject matter and half is in the leafing through big, beautiful books on Italian arts in Tuscany and Venice with Jerry Altavilla, owner of the Galleria,” Sawell said.
“Pouring over the richness of those images, searching for something that will fit the space, and be achievable in the allocated time of one week; exploring societal norms, the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours of the diverse cultures bordering the Mediterranean.”
The walk will continue through the motel car park’s piazza San Lorenzo onto Schnapper Rd to view the street murals of Cinema Paradiso, then along to, and down Via Coresti, then through the galleries.
It will end in Piazza San Pano.
Known as the Michelangelo of Ettalong, Sawell has replicated over 300 art works on the walls and ceilings of the Galleria.
He is an active participant with the Central Coast’s annual 5 Lands Walk Artists, who set themselves up along the coastline to paint en plein air.
In 2017 he collaborated with Gavin Duncan and Paul Higgins in producing a contemporary Indigenous mural at the entrance to the Crown Plaza at Terrigal.
The free event will begin at 2.30pm on Sunday, June 26, and conclude at 5.30pm.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase from Toto’s Bar and Cinema Paradiso’s Candy Bar.
Those wishing to attend should register with Eventbrite CLICK HERE as there is a limited capacity.
Source: Media release, Jun 17, 2022,The Galleria, Ettalong Beach