by Nico Nicoson & Kim Siew
59 Campbell Street, St Peters
This artwork celebrates the beautiful and culturally significant craft of ornate plaster making.
After visiting the workshop and looking at the stunning pieces the craftspeople at work, we were inspired to re-imagine the canon of common motifs and elements that are prevalent within decorative plasterwork from a wide range of periods commonly seen in the Inner West.
We have incorporated many motifs that appear in decorative plasterwork including birds, vines and plants, floral elements and decorative urns and vases. We have also included the stylised form of a cat, in reference to the workshop cat that customers often encounter, and the greyhound, a breed of dog that is often featured in sculpture as a result of its elegant form. The ribbon-like strokes coming down from the top of the artwork represent the pure act of pouring white liquid plaster into the artwork mould.
About the building:
Unique Plaster
59 Campbell St, St Peters
Since the 1980’s, Unique Plaster has been in the business of manufacturing, restoration and reproduction of ornate plaster. Specialising in Ornate Plaster Ceilings, Cornices, Ceiling Rosettes, Panels, Corbels, Bands, Fire Surrounds, Columns and Domes, projects have included major heritage restorations like Queen Victoria Building to fixing terrace houses in the Eastern Suburbs after the 1999 devastating hail storms, to decors for fashion runaways and blockbuster films.
Over the years expertise has expanded to developing specialised plaster works durable and lightweight for exterior facades. Attention to detail and quality have always been central within the casting work – a family owned this local business continues the legacy of this beautiful and delicate plaster craft.
Nico Nicoson & Kim Siew
Sydney, Australia
Nico Nicoson
Nico Nicoson is a Sydney based mural artist, illustrator and designer. With a prolific practice as a professional mural artist spanning over a decade and a studio in Sydney’s Inner West Nico has created high profile artworks for some of the world’s most prestigious brands and architects as well as for Councils, businesses and homes. As a mural artist Nico’s work is highly regarded and has featured extensively in print and online as well as on television. Nico’s fine art works are highly collectible – a factor that adds appeal to his mural art. Nico has created hundreds of murals in his unique and instantly recognisable style across Australia and the globe.
Kim Siew
Kim Siew is an illustrator and mural artist living in the Inner West of Sydney. She illustrates pictures and paints on walls, usually of playful characters moving about their everyday using hard edges, bold colour and pattern.
These resources have been designed by experienced Visual Arts educators to support students and teachers studying and delivering the NSW syllabus for Visual Arts, and are tailored to Stage 4 and Stage 5.
Stage 6 teachers may also consider some of the artist studies for their students.
