From tired demountables to old brick walls and even toilet blocks. Once drab Sydney schools are being transformed into works of art.
Classically trained French artist Hugues Sineux has spent much of his career restoring the paintwork of churches and historic buildings throughout Europe. But after moving to Australia with his family six years ago, the artist has been using his expertise to liven up school yards.
French mural artist Hugues Sineux with his latest mural at Epping Heights Public School.Credit: James Brickwood
Mr Sineux has been commissioned by more than 10 Sydney public schools to paint huge murals across a range of buildings, from libraries to toilet blocks.
Using a technique called trompe l'oeil, where the images create an optical illusion that they are three dimensional, his murals are as diverse as an imaginary ferry on the toilet block at Warrawee Public to a grand theatre stage, 14 metres high, on a brick wall at Roseville Public.
French mural artist Hugues Sineux.Credit: James Brickwood
Mr Sineux finished his latest mural this week at Epping Heights Public School. A theatrette, complete with a red carpet, now leads to the school's library.
"Some of the books are escaping from the library and one of the books we included is a May Gibbs one because last year it was the anniversary of her books," Mr Sineux said.
The school's relieving principal, Megan Bridekirk, said the design of the mural was inspired by the students' love of literature.
"Our library is the hub of the school and we wanted to create an exciting space where our students can explore their imagination and think critically and creatively," she said.
"Our library mural was funded by our parents and created by Hugues to capture these values. Students voted for their favourite books and the most popular titles appear on the mural."
Mr Sineux, who studied at the prestigious L'Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, does not do any of his work digitally and uses a very classic technique. He still returns to his studio in Normandy regularly to work on large projects with his brother, Jean François, and last year they restored a church in Francheville, which dates to the 16th century
"My tool box is very simple, I just have some paint brushes and I use water-based paints and a piece of string for a spirit level," Mr Sineux said.
He said students were often very involved in the process, and would sit and watch him paint and ask questions about his work.
His murals take between two and four weeks to complete, depending on the size.