Residents have been left fuming after a much-beloved mural in Sydney’s inner-west was painted over by a Melbourne-based outdoor advertising agency who refer to themselves as a ‘street art’ collective.
The original mural depicts exotic animals on a city landscape, with the phrase ‘it’s like a jungle sometimes’ painted above.
Over the past few weeks, an advertisement for Jennifer Lawrence’s upcoming movie Mother!, has appeared in its place, leaving one angry artist to note: ‘It really is a jungle sometimes… no respect’ – in red graffiti over the new painting.
A mural advertising Jennifer Lawrence’s movie Mother! has been painted over a longstanding artwork in Newtown, outraging residents
Before the mural could even be completed, one angry local had vandalised the new image, writing: ‘it really is a jungle sometimes… no respect!’ in red spray paint
Comments on the company’s Facebook page follow a similar sentiment, with many bemoaning the presence of advertising on a heritage listed building, and others accusing the company of lacking respect for the local community.
Apparition Media issued a grovelling apology on Tuesday via their Facebook page, where they claimed representatives had gotten in touch with the original artist, describing him as a ‘ripping bloke’ who seemed remarkably unphased about losing his original artwork.
A spokeswoman for the Inner West Council told Daily Mail Australia the advertisement had not been approved, and that ‘the display of advertisements is generally prohibited in heritage areas such as Newtown / Enmore’.
‘Council, like many members of the public, was very disappointed to see the iconic ‘It’s a Jungle Out There’ artwork painted over and this matter is being investigated by Council’s Compliance Section,’ she said.
‘The company responsible for the movie advertisement has already announced that they will rectify the situation.
‘While Council is pleased to see positive action to re-instate the iconic mural, the investigations by Council’s Compliance Section will continue and if a breach is detected, appropriate regulatory action will be taken.’
Before: The original image shows exotic animals in a city landscape with the words ‘it’s like a jungle sometimes’ painted above the picture
Apparition Media claim the original artist has agreed to allow them to keep the new artwork in place until it is finished, at which point Apparition Media artists and the original artist would repaint the ‘it’s a like jungle sometimes’ mural.
‘We have agreed to cover all costs, assist him in painting it and get the story of the mural out there to as many people as we can,’ the company said in their statement.
Despite the positive sentiment, many locals did not buy into the story, with several point out there was still advertising on a heritage listed building, and others doubting the company had spoken to the original artist at all.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Apparition Media for further comment.
