An exclusive exhibition at the Warrnambool Art Gallery featuring the work of pioneering street artist and designer Claw Money has won Victorian Government support.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos was in Warrnambool today to announce a $50,000 grant for the gallery that "punches well above its weight in the Australian gallery landscape".
"It's an exhibition of Claw Money - Claudia Gold - she's a New York-based graffiti writer, artist, fashion designer and she has a significant following and appeal right across the world and this is exclusive - in the whole of Australia you will only be able to see it right here in the Warrnambool Art Gallery," Mr Dimopoulos said.
"We know the value of these exhibitions in bringing thousands and thousands of people to regional Victoria
"They come for the event, the exhibition, but they stay for all the other beauty that Warrnambool has to offer from the food, the produce, the drink and for all natural landscapes, spas and accommodation.
"It's an uplift to the whole economy, it's part of what this regional events fund does."
Warrnambool Mayor Cr Ben Blain said Claw Money's creations including street art, murals and working with well-known fashion brands, had broad appeal and would be a massive summer drawcard.
"It's going to be really exciting and a special thank you to gallery director Aaron Bradbrook for preparing this exhibition which will run from mid-November to mid-March next year," Cr Blain said.
Mr Bradbrook said the exhibition would be a unique "career survey" of Claudia Gold's work spanning the early 1990s to now.
"If you're interested in graffiti, New York street and urban culture, sneakers and fashion generally you'll be captivated by the art of Claw Money," Mr Bradbrook said.
Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora said the exhibition would bring a unique perspective to Warrnambool.
"It brings New York to Warrnambool. It's going to attract a really diverse range of people interested in the arts to our community.
"It's going to be very exciting economically and socially and I think it's always fantastic to stretch our minds and see what she is going to come up with.
"Art galleries are all about people, they're about the community and about the interaction between the rest of the world and our community and this is going to be a very exciting one."
