The hunt is on to find the person, or people, responsible for vandalising an artwork being created in Lismore’s Back Alley Gallery as part of the Eat the Street festival at the weekend.
The mural, painted by five students from the Southern Cross University Art Club, was vandalised sometime on Saturday night, firstly with housepaint and a roller, and then with a spray can to write ‘Wasent finished’.
Back Alley Gallery project manager Erin Lewis said the vandalism was ‘really disappointed’, especially as it was the first time the SCU artists had contributed to the project.
Ms Lewis said the Lismore City Council would be reviewing footage from security cameras in an effort to identify who was responsible for the vandalism.
‘We’ve always had to deal with this (vandalism) from the very start. The first lick of paint in the Back Alley Gallery was vandalised within 12 hours,’ she said.
‘That’s why we put our message out on Facebook because we wanted to reiterate what BAG is all about. It’s a place where artists are supported and are safe to have a go.’
Part of the Facebook message said: ‘Respect for fellow artists is a big reason the laneway has had such a positive response and it is a non-negotiable requirement for participation.
‘The vandalism of the piece completed by SCU Arts Club was the direct opposite of what the project has tried to foster in the community.
‘We have found that the lines between street art and graffiti can become blurred in the minds of some people – but we would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that the Back Alley Gallery has no space for the POLITICS associated with graffiti culture, and these sorts of actions will not be tolerated.’
Lismore mayor Isaac Smith also condemned the vandalism.
‘It was very disappointing that we didn’t get to see the finished artwork,’ Cr Smith said.
He said the BAG was an important attraction in Lismore that entertained thousands of people every year.
‘Every time I go through there I meet someone new admiring the artwork.’
Anyone with information about the vandalism should contact Lismore police.
