A local collaboration between Brisbane-based artist, Carley Cornelissen and Edge Early Learning, will create a bespoke, new learning space in Kelvin Grove, set to capture the imagination of its little students.
The newly developed Kelvin Grove centre, also a heritage listed site, has been completely restored and renovated by Edge Early Learning to create two levels of state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor learning spaces, with some of the best views of Brisbane.
Designed to suit the suburb and surrounds, Edge’s collaboration with Ms Cornelissen has created a giant and colourful 75m2 native-inspired mural outdoors, a 13.5m2 animal-themed mural at the entrance to the centre and a 20m2 interior mural, giving the illusion of jungle animals walking down the hallway.
Ms Cornelissen, whose work has been exhibited across Australia, Hong Kong, Europe and the UK over the last 25-years, said her inspiration behind the mural was synergistic to Edge Early Learning’s ethos of creating a safe environment where children can learn and grow.
“My work centres around daydreams of an idyllic paradise, where birds and animals can live together safely with no fear or threat and their habitats remain untouched, colourful and bright,” she said.
“I was thrilled to be asked to work on this project and immediately started developing ideas that would suit the open, natural-feel of the centre and that would appeal to children and parents alike.”
“My past local commissions have been large scale artworks and murals for Brisbane City Council, as seen on Greendale Way in Carindale, a large mural for Brookside Shopping Centre, and a cube project for Moreton Bay Council’s local festival, however this is my first childcare centre.”
“It’s wonderful to be creating locally in south east Queensland; working with a heritage site and reinventing the space through art and architecture to repurpose a place for the future.”
Covering 3 walls that took 5 days to complete and a total of 130 hours onsite, the murals represent a tropical oasis scattered with jungle leaves and feature a tiger, zebra, panda, parrot and peacock throughout the contemporary work.
Edge Early Learning CEO, Annie Bryce, said the new centre will provide an elevated learning experience for the local community.
“The inner-city environment and heritage listing was the ideal backdrop to house such a colourful and imaginative piece of art and Carley has delivered three wonderful pieces of inspiration that little minds can enjoy every day.”
“We look forward to opening the doors to the Kelvin Grove community in the coming months, and through these artworks, enhance our aim to evoke exploration and instil a lifelong love of learning for children in our care.”
Families are encouraged to book a private tour at the new Edge Early Learning Kelvin Grove centre located at 2 L’Estrange Terrace, Kelvin Grove which is due to open in the coming months.
Edge Early Learning has also engaged Carley Cornelissen for a second commission at their Ferny Grove centre, opening late 2020.
For more information on Edge Early Learning, visit their website: www.edgeearlylearning.com.au
Media enquiries: amy@m10.com.au