News Outside the ASV

PAMELA IRVING’S GRAND OPENING of the PATTERSON STATION MOSIAC WALLS

On Sunday 4th March, a few hundred interested people gathered at the Patterson Road Station in Bentleigh, to witness the Official Opening of 150 square metres of mosaics on the walls of the underpass and the entrance to the station. (750 artists provided the works).

The official opening was made by Edward O’Donohue, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, and Elizabeth Miller, MP for Bentleigh.

Pamela Irving and Bronwyn Culshaw

A carnival atmosphere prevailed and onlookers were entertained by roving pan pipers – the Zamponistas, and the inner man could be recharged at the sausage sizzle. It was a very enjoyable experience.
The Patterson Road underpass has had a major problem with graffiti over the years and Pamela decided to do something about it.
She made a proposal and obtained grants from the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria and the Community Support Fund. Other sponsors were: The Department of Transport, Victrack, Metro, Bostik, Tiny Pieces Chicago, Southern Cross Tiles, Southern Cross Ceramics, Keep Australia Beautiful, Stationeers Program, City of Glen Eira and Kew Ceramics.

Then she set to work in typical Pamela Irving style and voila – mosaics have been pouring in from Australia and many countries in the world, including France. Here are the schools that were involved in making some of these mosaics:
Karen Levy & Mc Kinnon Secondary College
Dora LAkoumentas & Bentleigh Secondary College
Helen Kuriata & Mc Kinnon Secondary College
Jill Anderson & Glen Eira College
Jill Stanbury +Wesley College, Elsternwick
Jo Harris & Bentleigh West Kindergarten
Staci Sterenberg & the St Andrew School, Chicago, USA
Karen Ami & Students from the Chicago Mosaic School, USA
Paula Rose & MLC
Priscilla Williams & Scotch College
Karen Neilsen & Brighton Grammar
Jane Byrne & Brighton Grammar
Audrey Cardona & Westbourne Grammar School
John Irving & Beaconhills College Pakenham
Lou Chamberlin & Star of the Sea
Luisa Bezzi & Star of the Sea

Pamela has three wishes for the future:
One: That the magnificent underpass is brightly illuminated at night to increase the feeling of safety as well as highlighting the magnificent mural.
Two: The untiled, rusty and dirty paint around the station is given a lick of paint.
Three: That the remaining bare walls can be covered making Patterson Station a tourist attraction known as THE Mosaic Station of Melbourne.

The exhibition is permanent, and will certainly provide archaeologists with a puzzle in years to come. It is a must see. Pop down to Patterson Road, allow a bit of time to peruse the faces. Visit Pamela’s Gallery and Studio, and grab a cup of coffee in the street. This is an example of one person’s driving force and many, many willing hands to achieve this wonderful outcome.
Pamela Irving is an internationally acclaimed, sculptor, ceramicist and mosaicist, who honoured us in 2010 by opening and Judging our Annual Exhibition and Awards.

Victrack has now published a You Tube clip on the project. See it here: