To celebrate the opening of Boroondara’s first fully fenced dog-play area at Gordon Barnard Reserve, Balwyn North, artist James Price was commissioned to design a mural which celebrated the dogs of Boroondara, on a Council building near the park.
Depicted in a bold, playful celebration of the charisma, energy and beauty of dogs, are Boroondara’s top 5 breeds as of April 2021:
- cavoodles and spoodles (represented as one)
- labradors
- golden retrievers
- border collies.
'In designing the work, I really focused on the energy of dogs, and all the different shapes and sizes they come in,' says James. 'I wanted the work to be a democratic pattern of canine glory — a welcome sign of sorts for all the dogs, and their humans, about to enjoy the dog park.'
The work was commissioned in winter 2021, a more challenging time than most for mural painters. 'Painting in Melbourne in winter is always a gamble,' says James, 'but after 15 days of rain delays, and 2 different COVID lockdowns, the work was finally finished.'
The work has been designed to feel fun, bold, and approachable. Make sure you visit it next time you take your puppy to the dog park!
You can find the location of the dog park on our Fenced dog park — Gordon Barnard Reserve page.
