Hidden in a Melbourne alley, a striking mural by local artist Jacob Campbell, known as Gonkita, has captured the attention and curiosity of passersby.
Created in 2022 as part of the City of Melbourne's Flash Forward initiative, the Gonkita mural at Rainbow Alley is one of more than 80 creative works commissioned to revitalize Melbourne's alleyways.
Born deaf, Gonkita draws inspiration from Australian Sign Language (Auslan) and uses its hand shapes as the basis for his vibrant work.
“I use vibrant colors and gestures to capture the essence of Auslan, encouraging personal interpretation and leaving room for different perspectives,” Gonkita told CBD News.
My work fuses influences from both deaf and hearing (non-deaf) cultures, allowing viewers to find their own meaning and inspiration within it.
“I've been interested in creating art ever since I could speak,” says Gonkita, who can't resist the urge to express herself whenever a pen and paper are within reach. It is said that
“I learn something new every day and draw based on that. I also like exploring other people's artwork, and just reading comics inspires me to create,” Gonkita said.
Gonquita, who created the mural during the coronavirus lockdown, describes the experience as “unusual.”
“I drew a lot of sketches, went on a Zoom meeting, and they decided to take this piece. I always wanted to create a hand-shaped mural that people could interpret. But in reality, it can mean anything,” he said.
“Before lockdown, I was only able to paint for a few days. After two weeks, I was able to paint again. It took me a few weeks to complete, but it was originally supposed to take 5 days. It was supposed to be completed.”
Now an iconic feature in the CBD, the Gonquita mural serves as a vibrant symbol for the deaf community, breathing energy and life into one of Melbourne's alleyways.
“It was fun to drive into the city, especially when it was empty. We didn't have to wait in line for food, and it was nice to have an excuse to get out of the house with permission.” •
