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West is best Western United is still celebrating after claiming its first A-League men’s championship. In just their third season, United shocked everybody by beating Melbourne City in the grand final 2-0, following two first half goals. International star Aleksandar Prijovic was the star for United and was a worthy winner of the Joe Marston Medal. Fans from across Melbourne’s west got behind their team, turning their homes and businesses green and black, with the number of supporters growing.
(AAP Image/Joel Carrett)
■ Coverage:
Pages 13 and 22
Western United goalkeeper Jamie Young celebrates the championship with fans.
‘Cheeky’ mural backlash By Fatima Halloum An artist who received backlash for a mural deemed too graphic has asked residents in Wyndham to see the artwork in person before forming an opinion. David Lee Pereira was commissioned by Wyndham council to paint the artwork in Station Place, Werribee. Over the past week media coverage has painted the mural as having phallic connotations. Pereira said the mural was 110 metres wide, but was being judged based on a few bricks. “That’s quite sad, because that wasn’t my intention, so seeing the mural as a whole, it’s a lot more complex and thoughtful, than just being reduced to porn,“ he said. “It’s not meant to be aggressive, it’s quite cheeky and playful, and a celebration of
sexuality, gender and identity and the diversity of the community, but none of that story is being told,” he said. Pereira said most people had yet to see the mural and because of its location, in a long and narrow laneway, it was best seen in person. “I want the focus to be about the intention of the mural and show it to people and let them make an educated decision about what they think rather than having their opinion told to them,” he said. “Every person who comes out is just like, this is gorgeous, but people are responding to misinformation online and it’s sad.” Pereira said he had also received backlash about not being from Wyndham, which he described as being “coated in hate”. “Labeling me as someone who’s not from here, my family is in Truganina, I’ve spent
every holiday in this area, I’ve lived out here multiple times in my life. “The coding of saying ‘he’s not from here’, I’m from Melbourne, I’m Australian and my voice is valid.” Wyndham council took to Facebook on Thursday, May 26 to address concerns about the artwork and vowed to make changes to the mural. Amidst the backlash, many residents spoke out in support of Pereira’s artwork. “It’s beautiful,” Misty Palmer commented in response to the council’s post. “Let’s normalise all bodies and shapes, these images aren’t of sexual nature but of nature.” Another commenter, Tracey Potatau-Wright said people making negative comments were being “sooks”. “The so called ’offensive’ bits don’t jump out at you … they need to be really looked for.
“Obviously once you know you can’t help but see them,” Ms Potatau-Wright said. “Overall this laneway looks vibrant and colourful, gorgeous flowers and insects with just a bit of naughty fun.” Council’s acting city design and liveability director Peter McKinnon said the flowers were intended to “subtly reflect themes of accepting gender and sexual diversity”. “These themes, however, are represented more strongly in the delivered artwork than had been intended,” he said. “Council staff are currently working with the artist to make appropriate changes, which are currently under way, and we are confident that concerns can be addressed.“ Star Weekly understands that some changes were made to the mural earlier this week. ■ Pictures: Page 4