A bright new mural has taken flight at Cockburn Youth Centre in Success.
Featuring a stylised flock of airborne birds, the mural is an energising backdrop for the centre’s basketball court, raised outdoor stage and skate space while also improving the area’s aesthetic appeal.
Long term Cockburn resident and popular Perth mural artist Darren Hutchens said he created the design, which also references the ocean and local lakes, to add an eye-catching example of youthful exuberance to an area where local young people hung out together.
“I wanted to create a semiabstract design that communicated unity and a desire to look forward using an injection of colour to lessen the hard lines and surfaces in what is quite a large area,” Darren said.
“I’ve enjoyed working in this space, with the kids playing basketball and skating. I’ve been able to feed off that positive energy.
“It’s one of the largest murals I’ve completed on my own, having completed several with other artists, and I’m really pleased with the results and how it has captured the imagination of the locals.”
The youth centre’s new coordinator Josh Gardner said it had been amazing to watch the space transform over several weeks, with rain delays building on the sense of excitement surrounding the project.
“That wall has featured a mural for at least a decade, with additions along the way from various artists, and it was in need of a refresh,” Josh said.
“Once Darren had completed his initial design, we asked youth centre patrons to choose their favourite colour scheme via a social media poll and there was a clear preference for the vibrant theme Darren has created.”
The inspiring mural can also be admired from the adjacent Cockburn Health and Community Facility.
For more information about Cockburn Youth Services visit the City’s
website.
Caption, l-r: Artist Darren Hutchens (centre left), Cockburn Youth Centre Coordinator Josh Gardner (centre right) with local members and siblings Hayden (15) and Hannah (13) Eckerman (left) and Maeve (8) and Finian (10) Mellett (right).