CREATIVE ROAD
Turning Public Spaces Into Works Of Art
Artist Wolfgang Buttress, ‘UNA’, Australian National University, 2013. | Image: Ben Wrigley
Rebecca Townsend, Director of Creative Road, shares her insights with REDDIE on mentoring emerging artists, their mission to transform public spaces, plus the stories behind their most exciting large-scale installations. From her team’s creative process to curating impactful public art, discover how Creative Road brings art to life in unexpected places.
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Creative Road is a small team of specialist public art curators and project managers. We collaborate and support emerging and first-time public artists as well as globally renowned names like the incredible Wolfgang Buttress. Our team also works with First Nations and CaLD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) artists and communities to develop meaningful and culturally sensitive public artworks.
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Photography by Kate Holmes
ON CLIENTS
AND MEMORABLE PROJECTS
Artists Abdul Abdullah + MOMO, ‘Here Together’ 1909 Subi East Perth, 2023
Image: Tristan McKenzie
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your clients and a memorable project?
Rebecca:We work with a wide range clients–public and private– to deliver temporary and permanent public art projects, managing everything from strategy to completion. Our passion lies in creating high-quality democratic, inclusive spaces–such as train stations, commercial offices, airports, residential developments, parks and plazas–that encourage connection, joy, and unforgettable public art experiences. Recently, we mentored emerging Ngunnawal artist: Bradley Mapiva Brown to produce a major public artwork for the Canberra Hospital Expansion project.
One of our favourite projects–and our first–was Patricia Piccinini’s Skywhale at Splendour in the Grass over 10 years ago. It holds sentimental value as our starting point, and Patricia is both a fascinating artist and a great person to work with. For those interested, Skywhale, now owned by The National Gallery of Australia, has a partner, Skywhalepapa, and both artworks are currently touring. It’s magical to see them inflate and come to life.
Artist Patricia Piccinini, ‘Skywhale’, Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay, 2014 Photography by Tao Jones |
CURATING ARTISTS
AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS
Creative Road office in Byron Bay featuring REDDIE products Photography by Ann-Louise Buck Photography. |
Creative Road office in Byron Bay featuring REDDIE products Photography by Ann-Louise Buck Photography. |
RECENT INSPIRATION
AND BYRONS CHARM
Artist Rose Nolan, ‘All Alongside of Each Other’, Central Station Metro Sydney, 2023 Image: Silversalt Photography |
Creative Road office in Byron Bay featuring REDDIE products Photography by Ann-Louise Buck Photography. |