This September the streets of Newcastle will come alive as the annual Big Picture Fest adds to its impressive collection of street art in the city.
The event, which has become a staple in the city’s cultural calendar since its inception in 2020, offers a unique opportunity for the public to engage with art in an open and accessible way.
This year five new large-scale murals will leave their mark on the city as part of the festival.
Since the first Big Picture Fest, Newcastle’s street art scene has turned the city into an open-air gallery, filled with ephemeral bursts of colour and creativity
The festival gives locals, and visitors, the chance to appreciate art in its most immediate form, requiring no gallery visits or prior art knowledge to enjoy. This year, a team of renowned artists has meticulously selected the best local artworks for the festival.
The judging panel included Sally Bourke, an established Newcastle artist; Shane Kennedy, also known as Tunz, from Up&Up Inspirations; Wednesday Sutherland of The Lock-Up contemporary art space; and Joel Van Moore, or Vans, the founder and creative director of the Big Picture Fest. Their collective expertise has ensured a diverse and compelling lineup for the event.
The selected artists, Melody Suranyi and Dan Gould bring unique perspectives to the festival.
“I’m excited to include Daniel and Melody to the Big Picture Fest line-up, for years they’ve both maintained a strong, vibrant presence in Newcastle’s creative scene,” Festival Director Katerina Skoumbas said.
“And Sophi is coming in fresh from painting silos surrounded by wineries in the middle of France! It will be great to see all their work out on the streets in September.”
Suranyi and Gould are known for their ability to blend modern and ancient artistic elements, promising to deliver thought-provoking and visually stunning murals.
The festival will also feature the work of renowned street artist Sophi Odling, whose large-scale murals celebrate cultural diversity and the innocence of youth. Odling’s work has gained international acclaim, and her participation adds a significant highlight to the event.
The Big Picture Fest will take over the streets of Newcastle from the 27th until the 29th of September 2024. Visit thebigpicturefest.com for more information.
