aMBUSH Gallery's Project Five Volume 8

Reviewed by Regina Su

As if it held the heartbeat of the city, Darling Harbour pulses with life. The night shimmers over the water in the warm spring breeze, and the Village Green is abuzz with festivities. Project Five (Volume Eight) brings to us it’s month-long celebration of community and the arts. This annual exhibition runs through October, showcasing talent from aMBUSH Gallery. 

Project Five is Australia’s longest running street-art project and has raised over $100 000 dollars for Australian not-for-profit organisations.

The exhibition is open to all in Sydney, and is expected to draw big crowds, as the exhibition boils down to an auction at the end of the month, which raises money for charity. This year’s nominated charity is the Monkey Baa Theatre Company in the Darling Quarter, a fantastic cause that shines a spotlight on creative endeavours in drama and musical theatre for young people.

This is such a vibrant celebration of the arts, with a charity cause that warms the heart. What I admire most is that the exhibition is interactive too, engaging the community by holding art workshops for kids, and by live-painting demonstrations of some of the artworks that will be displayed for auction. Watching the artists paint life-sized images of the surreal, the imaginary and the abstract was just a real treat. And the buzz around the event felt like an inspiring environment in which to let creative juices flow. 

Contemporary street artists Georgia Hill, Brett Chan, Kaff-eine and Shida painted their respective artworks to the beats dropped by a live DJ, and the crowd had a real energy about it. One of the paintings on the opening night was covered in children adding to the painting and making it theirs. I think this is a great initiative. The exhibition offers free kids workshops that run throughout the school holidays and for the rest of the month. I’d be interested to head down to the auction at the end and see what other creative touches have been added to the exhibtion. 

What a truly wonderful celebration of the arts! For more information on registering for workshops, visit Project Five’s website.