Katherine Town Council has commissioned an art curator to develop a mural commemorating the 1998 flood.
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But some Katherine residents are hesitant.
Independent art curator and barrister in criminal law, Koulla Roussos has come down from Darwin to get things on track.
At a public meeting yesterday at the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre, Ms Roussos asked for community input and ideas about the development of the mural.
A potential site has been established on the Salvation Army wall facing the Shell service station.
And Ms Roussos, and her expert panel of Katherine representatives, are set on a mural as the artwork of choice.
“This meeting is about getting input from the community to mitigate eruptions down the line,” Ms Roussos said.
“Art is the most potent visual aspect of your culture. It materialises the social forces going on here.
“Just because Katherine is a regional town doesn’t mean it has to be bereft of visual work. Think of culture as a valuable tool to harness capital and tourism.
“The artwork is just to commemorate the flood, but that’s not to say the council has not got other plans for art in Katherine.
“We want people to look at (the mural) and think it is an important commemoration of a big event,” she said.
Four Katherine residents attended the meeting.
The residents said they were on board with the idea of a special piece of art work to remember one of the most devastating natural disasters Katherine has seen.
However, there were some concerns as well.
Kim Scott said a mural could stir up emotions for some Katherine residents.
In addition, a shade installation, rather than a mural, would serve Katherine better.
Not only would it provide much needed shade in the town, but also be less likely to be hit by vandals, she said.
Other residents voiced concerns saying Katherine is already home to a flood mural, and by installing yet another painting on a wall in the town – we are not being different.
“Katherine has a great opportunity to take advantage of its light and could become known for shadow light art – even with bright lanterns lighting up the town at night,” Ms Roussos said.
“I will be recommending to council to take advantage of our natural light resources.”
With a small $21,000 budget for the artwork, Ms Roussos said there are constraints.
In addition to ensuring local and Indigenous artists are brought onto this project, Ms Roussos said she will make sure the mural is striking, weather proof and has a quality impact.
“$21,000 is not a lot when it comes to art.
“We want to get this first image just right to assist the town with its public art strategy for the future,” she said.
Ms Roussos is currently seeking out individual artists to speak about preferences and is aiming to have the mural finished by the middle of October, just in time for the Commemoration of the Katherine Flood 2018.