However, once the project was underway, the location of the tiles changed to the path along Withers Street. For the artist, this was a nightmare! Wall tiles are thin, not designed for foot-traffic and are glazed smoothly. This combination is not ideal for tiles in a public space, with lots of foot traffic and potential high slip when wet.

There was much testing with glaze-additives etc and a few sleepness nights before the process of firing with sand on the surface proved successful. Installation required the tiles be cut to reduce the individual surface area and that they be embedded in a 100mm of concrete.

Ernie De Marchi, a Ranger with Parks Victoria, assisted us in the making the pavers.

The pavers were installed by the Brimbank City Council.

THE LIBRARY

One of the sets of tiles installed in the Brimbank Library at Sunshine, December, 1998.

From the beginning, it was my wish that the tiles be installed on the Hampshire Road Library. I felt confident that the work would be good enough to complement this beautiful new building. However, my confidence was not shared by some Council staff and the idea was rejected.

As the non-slip surface for the pavers was seemingly allusive, the search was on again for a wall for the tiles. Carmen approached the Library again. Interest. The architect was approached. Approved.

Yes! Fifteen sets of tiles were installed in the Library foyer, received with great enthusiasm from the Library staff and public.

For me, it was a personal coup. The work made on our project was seen as being good enough to go permanently onto the building which represents great civic pride in Sunshine.

THE MOSAIC

Imagine. Fifty Year Nine and Ten girls. Twenty five of them all talking. At once. Add the radio. My favourite song, turn it up. Change the station. Add the hammers smashing tiles. My favourite song, turn it up. Turn it up. Remember your deadline. Two weeks.

Students working on the mosaic 'bubbles' on the wall near Sunshine railway station, December 1998. Photo by Carmen Stewart.

It's not always easy working with young people. You get the conflict of them not knowing whether its cool to participate or not. Rejecting your guidance, then crying out for approval, and demanding answers as to whether the colour should be this or that. The transition between childhood and adulthood is confusing, not least for the on-looker!

THE PROCESS

As a way of bringing a number of disparate ideas together into one cohesive artwork, I came up with the notion of a cartoon, with young people having thoughts about their future. Each thought bubble was able to represent a different aspect of the things Carmen and Anne and been discussing with the students ie
environment family life
recreation sustainability

I thought it was important that the mosaic reflected the age, interests and style of the young people. The girls were very able to embrace the idea and easily came up with a range of very funky and expressive images.

Mosaic work can be tedious. It's slow and rather painstaking. Some of the girls had a surprising aptitude for the medium; they understood that in the design the images should be clear and easy to read/understand. They choose colours thoughtfully, placed the tiles carefully. It was delightful working with these girls.

The images were first drawn onto large sheets of paper. The tiles were laid down, face up, to create the mosaic. In order to move the mosaic to the site, the tiles were covered with muslin and PVA.

Installation

I threatened Carmen with a small essay entitled 'Eddie the Tiler' when she asked me to do this report -- but I shall restrain myself to a couple of paragraphs!

Student Candice Mutton from Marion College speaking at the launch of the still-incompletely installed mural - with thanks to 'Eddie the Tiler'. December 1998.

The major hiccup of this project, however, was Eddie the Tiler. And I do feel aggrieved that the mosaic is not quite as funky and poignant as I would have liked due to his lack of care in installation.

Despite photos with exact location of the mosaics, diagrams drawn onto the wall, the mosaic being laid out on the ground in place; despite my written and oral descriptions of the concept and my request that he should call with any queries, a number of the mosaics were mis-laid. A little too high here, a little too far right there.

He left two of the pieces at the school. His lack of engagement meant days of extra work for Carmen and me, numerous school students and friends, as we all tried to pull the ideas together, and patch, grout and clean the work after he abandoned the project.

Louis the Concreter will render the wall and paint it in a light yellow ochre which will unify the image. Then it will be complete.

SUMMARY

Students, local dignatories, parents and a stray kangaroo lead the procession from the where the tiles were laid to the mosaic at the railway station.

1.The project was hugely successful. Sunshine now has three new pieces of artwork, which are utterly creative and youthful. The young people who participated expressed pleasure in seeing their work in such public places and have also said it looks better than they thought it would.

Awaiting the official launch of the mosaic.

It is not better than I thought it would be. I always knew they could do really good work and as the project unfolded I felt great excitement at the thought of the outcome.

I know sometimes the students thought I was bossy (and I am), but I do think it is important not to accept mediocrity, first ideas, and that participants should strive to do the best possible. I think Carmen, Anne and I act as role-models to these students and I wanted them to leave the project knowing something about their own potential.

Members of the Sunshine community at the project launch, December 1998.

2. I did think, at times, that there were too many students on the mosaic project, some who came along for the ride and were not prepared for the effort required. In that small space, I think it would have worked with less.

3. With the benefit of hindsight, I think the tile project would have been more engaging for more students at the school, had it been conducted in the lunch room , as it was on the final week. By locating it here, it created immense interest and participation.

4. The budget and management of the project through Imagine the Future was first class.

5. The support for the project from the schools, the local shops, and the Council was really wonderful. John Monaghan, the Engineer at Brimbank Council, was outstanding in his generosity of time, effort and attitude.

6. But for me, working with Carmen was the highlight... her ability to relate to the young people; her ability to manage the project so well; her faith in my abilities; her communication with all of us and her very good humour.

On Friday, when we were working on the mosaic, John Monaghan commented how so many people thought the project was theirs " I did the art ... I drew that ... I did the concreting ... I installed the tiles ... I organised the workers" each person has a sense of pride of their role in this project. That comment, and the one in the card from Marian College, 'Thank you for helping up make Sunshine a better place', reinforced my opinion that this was a very successful project.

ANNE RIGGS
Project Artist

December 1998