Artists are gearing up to bring something new to Rochester with the mural festival around the corner.
Photo by
Cath Grey
The Rochester Mural Festival will be held on Sunday, March 30, to Friday, April 4, from 8am to 5pm.
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Everyone is welcome to watch the artists work or attend the presentation day on Saturday, April 5, to see the final pieces and enjoy food and prizes.
Isabel Kawai Vincent
Isabel Kawai Vincent has travelled around the region and Japan to study art. Photo: Supplied.
Isabel Kawai Vincent is a familiar name around the region with a history with the Foundry Arts Space and creating art in Shepparton.
After a few years in Shepparton she moved to Japan in 2017 to explore art in the context of her Japanese heritage.
Ms Vincent said her art had changed over the years as she explored art in Japan.
“My art has changed quite a bit, up until 2017 I did all my art training in Australia,” she said.
“I am half-Japanese and I noticed during art school that the Japanese art composition and style was coming through organically.
“I waited a few years for the kids to leave home to go and study traditional Sumi-e painting and an ancient form of kanji, which is called kodaimoji.”
Over the past year, her art has naturally begun to combine her Western art origins and her Japanese heritage.
Her design for the mural festival will also reflect this interesting combination, with the influence of artist Mark Rothko and elements of anime.
Ms Vincent is currently based in Bendigo, where she works as a teacher and continues to expand her artistry.
Christina Rankin
Christina Rankin with her 2022 mural.
Photo by
Steve Huntley
Christina Rankin, an Echuca tattoo artist with almost 20 years of art behind her, is back again for the mural festival’s last event.
She has worked at E-Ville Tattoo in Echuca for almost two decades, but five years ago she decided to expand her artistry and picked up a paintbrush.
Ms Rankin said she first took part in the mural festival in 2022 to test her ability.
“Initially I wanted to be a part of the (Rochy Mural Festival) because it’s a fantastic event run by amazing people and it’s great for our little town,” she said.
“I also wanted to take part in the festival to test my ability. I had never competed in a mural festival before, nor had I painted anything that big.
“When I participated in the (mural festival) the first time, I was worried that I would be the first person in the history of the festival to not finish their mural. This year I’m more nervous about the speech I have to give at the opening night.”
Ms Rankin’s art can vary in style but can be described as ‘realism with a twist’.
Her first mural was inspired by a conversation with her niece while sitting outside, enjoying the singing of the birds.
This year, she will be doing her own interpretation of ‘Life, love and music’ using outdoor acrylic paint.
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