Victoria’s High Country comes alive when Australia’s pre-eminent regional street art festival Wall to Wall returns to the city of Benalla on 3-5 April. In its sixth year of live painting and showing no signs of slowing down, the three-day arts festival continues to foster a community of artists under the guidance of new festival producers The Social Crew in collaboration with festival curators and founders Juddy Roller.
Wall to Wall uses the power of mural art to ignite commentary from the flow of punters who come to appreciate and explore the festival. Reused and new spaces around Benalla and its surrounds prove that no wall is off-limits, with other highlight locations like the North East Silo Trail that traverses from Goorambat to the Winton Wetlands, returning to the festival map with new works.
The 2020 line-up features Australian talent in Adnate, Filthy RatBag, Elliot Routledge, Saltwater Dreamtime, Sarah McCloskey, Minna Leunig, plus international talent in Hayley Welsh (UK), Helen Bur (UK), Mysterious Al (UK), Smug (UK) and more, each making their mark – at least until the next coat.
Be sure to look out for Melbourne-based Deaf artist Gonketa who is known for using bold colours and exaggerated expression, and return artist Kaff-eine, who is bringing her illustrative style to the festival with a special project inspired by climate change action alongside the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and the Yorta Yorta community.
In addition to a world-class line-up of artists, a new contingent to the program is internationally acclaimed street artist Sofles (pictured left), who is launching his magnum opus, Sofles: Compendium at the Benalla Art Gallery. The solo exhibition will provide an early glimpse of the much-loved festival from Friday 6 March until Sunday 12 April.
A survey of nearly two decades of work, this marks the first solo exhibition of this scale for the artist. Showcasing never before seen photographs, sketches, murals, installations and more, the exhibition offers a window into Sofles’ methods of process and what makes the Brisbane artist tick. Meet the artist known for his vivid artworks scattered through many of Melbourne’s iconic laneways, and was also behind 2013 viral video Limitless which amassed over ten million views.
“This year we have yet again pulled together a roster of world-class contemporary street artists,” says festival founder and artistic director Shaun Hossack. “It’s a reminder of how regional street art projects across the country are quickly becoming the lifeblood of many small towns, all while giving birth to a whole new generation of art lovers.”
During the annual paint weekend, visitors of all ages can also enjoy a program of creative ‘off the wall’ experiences, including emerging artist programs, artist talks, workshops, interactive activities, bus and walking tours, film, immersive VR experiences, live music and more.
The official line-up is now live on www.walltowallfestival.com/ with more program updates to come.
Established in 2015, Wall to Wall Festival provides the regional city of Benalla and its visitors the chance to see the latest street art offerings, painted live during a weekend of creative experiences. Out-of-towners and art lovers alike are invited to “see the art in everything”, as world-class artists paint wall to wall. The end result provides an ever-changing artistic landscape that is accessible for all.
Wall to Wall
3-5 April 2020
Benalla, Victoria 3672
http://www.walltowallfestival.com/
Photo credits:
1. Artist Callum Preston at Wall to Wall, 2019. Photographed by Nicole Reed.
2. Artist Sofles painting in action. Photographed by Kevin Vo.
