Mural in Crisis

While visiting Australia in 1984, American artist Keith Haring painted an outdoor mural at the Collingwood Technical College in inner city Melbourne. This mural is the only remaining publicly-sited work made during Haring’s three-week visit. More than 25 years later, the mural is now a shadow of its former self with a bleached pallor that has overcome Haring’s signature sensibility of life and vitality. Despite being in the care of the Victorian Government and registered as a site of state significance with the Victorian Heritage Council, the mural has received no regular care or maintenance since conception.

Recently, positive steps have been undertaken to develop the old Collingwood Technical College into a home for Circus Oz and other organisations. As part of the proposed development, the Victorian Government, along with Arts Victoria, has commissioned a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) that recommends stabilising the Haring mural in its current neglected state.

This plan directly contravenes the stated wishes of the Keith Haring Foundation, which was established by the artist before his death in 1990. The Foundation have publicly stated that due to the extensive deterioration of the mural that it should be re-painted, either on the original wall or at a new wall erected in front of it, and returned to the people of Collingwood as Keith intended it. They do not believe Haring would have agreed nor wanted to see an excess of money spent on preserving the mural in its current neglected state.

Help Us

Lovell Chen, on behalf of Arts Victoria, has finally submitted a permit application to Heritage Victoria for conservation works to be undertaken on the Keith Haring mural in Collingwood. Their proposal is to stabilise the mural as it currently is which is counter to the wishes of Keith's Foundation which has asked for Keith's original image to be reinstated and returned to the people of Collingwood at this site.

As part of the application process the public has the chance to make a submission outlining their objection to Lovell Chen/Arts Victoria's plans for the mural. This submission can take the form of an email or letter and must be received by Wednesday 15 May to count.

Please have a look at the Currently Advertised Permits page which outlines the works to be done to the mural and the process for making a submission/objection.

A letter of objection can be downloaded here which you can complete with your signature and address and submit to Heritage Victoria. This is the very last chance to lend your support to the campaign and let your voice be heard!

Submissions may be emailed to: heritage.permits@dpcd.vic.gov.au, or posted to: Heritage Victoria, GPO Box 2392, Melbourne, VIC 3000. Submissions are due by Wednesday 15 May 2012.

Twitter Feed