By Jed Lanyon
If you’ve ever sat down for a coffee at one of the Yarra Valley’s many vibrant cafes, spotted a giant ibis on a drive through Healesville, or even done time in the Karreenga Correctional Facility, then chances are you have stumbled across the stunning artwork of Paul Sonsie.
Mr Sonsie, a proud Healesville resident and longtime artist of Sonsie Studios, was commissioned to install artwork across Aldi’s shop front to help integrate the building into its environment and the community.
The German retail giant’s new store has been given some Yarra Valley flavour as artwork depicting a bush tree canopy, gum leaves and cockatoos was installed along the windows and building structure.
“I think artwork can humanise a building, and it can become less stark,” Mr Sonsie said.
“I wanted to depict nature, which is something that everybody can relate to, and especially for a supermarket which is a place for community. It’s been a really enjoyable process working with both Aldi Australia and Select Architects.
“Gum leaves are an Indigenous symbol for welcoming, so it’s kind of a welcome for coming into our area. I depicted a big Australian bush tree canopy across the front 12 windows with some flying cockatoos in there.
“I somehow always manage to put birds in my artwork. Somehow I sneak them in. People have been asking, ‘Are you going to put an ibis in there?’ because of my ibis mural, but no it’s just cockatoos this time.”
Mr Sonsie recently installed the artwork alongside Brad Charman and Lynton Collier of YV Signs, who now have the joy of viewing the artwork from their business across the street.
Mr Sonsie’s business, Sonsie Studios, specialises in creative branding, murals, graphic design and artwork.
“I’ve been running it for seven years now, based here in Healesville. I just couldn’t imagine running it anywhere else. I just love living here.
“I’ve always been an artist and then for the last seven or eight years I have developed into being a graphic designer. My whole ambition is to merge those two worlds together.
“And I think this particular job represents that really well. It’s artwork and it’s branding at the same time.”
Mr Sonsie said it’s nice to be able to drive past his work each day as his visually appealing artwork continues to pop-up in many Yarra Valley businesses and public spaces.
“I like the idea that I have kind of used my small town as a playground. The community has been really receptive of me experimenting in different things in street art and branding… I like changing the visual landscape of my community.”
Mr Sonsie’s artwork has garnered a lot of attention over the years. His ibis mural depicted an icon of Healesville, which he said gave him some nice publicity.
While his artwork beside Lilydale’s Locavore Studio cafe became the talk of the town last September when it drew the ire of Yarra Ranges Council, who asked for its removal following complaints from other businesses stating it didn’t meet certain heritage planning requirements.
The mural stands to this day with Mr Sonsie describing it as a win for art. At the time, he fought for the mural to stay in place citing that the wall had been covered in graffiti prior to becoming home to his creativity.
“At the end of the day art and community won over bureaucracy,” he said.
Next up for Mr Sonsie is an art project at a women’s prison in Deer Park. He had previously completed a mural for inmates at Karreenga Correctional Facility ahead of its opening in 2016. Much like the Aldi mural, he said it’s another place he hoped to help humanise.
Like most businesses, he’s been feeling the pinch from the coronavirus pandemic especially due to the connection to many other small businesses who are doing it tough.
“They’ve been affected and it’s a flow on effect to me. And unfortunately when it comes to a business’ budget, artwork and branding can sometimes be pushed back as a non-essential.
“Even though it’s super essential to thrive as a business, oftentimes that will be the first to go so I had a lot of projects pull out on me.”
Thankfully his mural for Aldi had been in the pipeline for over two years, meaning Yarra Valley locals get to enjoy yet another piece of Mr Sonsie’s art.
