InDaily first reported on Monday that the 100-metre-long mural along Glenelg’s South Esplanade was the subject of a petition from a small group of seafront residents who wanted it removed or toned down due to its bright orange, yellow and blue colour scheme.

The City of Holdfast Bay commissioned the mural from Adelaide artist Alex Bellas, who painted the work over February and March this year on a previously blank concrete wall.

South Esplanade resident Raelene Elmes told InDaily last Friday that 11 people signed her petition to remove or tone down the mural, which she said was “far too bright”.

“I’ve lost my beautiful sea view because all you see first is the other colours,” she said at the time.

Left photo: supplied. Right photo: Thomas Kelsall/InDaily

Elmes has since met with the council to discuss the mural and has been told there will be no change. She declined to comment on Thursday.  

Holdfast Bay Mayor Amanda Wilson confirmed the council would not be changing the mural.

“The orange will go down over time, and when the sun is behind in the afternoon it’s not as bright because the sun’s not shining on it,” she said.

“We’ve been inundated with emails from our residents telling us how much they love it.

“It brightens up the area and over winter it’s going to be a joyful piece for people to walk past.

“And I hope that in time the residents grow to love it.”

The view from the South Esplanade with the new mural. Photo: supplied

Wilson also said the council’s public art policy – whereby a selection panel consisting of councillors and council staff make decisions on public art – would not be changing, despite complaints that residents were not consulted about the mural.

The mayor said it would be impractical to consult residents on every public art decision.

“The policy has to stay the same because… (artists) won’t apply to do work because they can’t be certain that their artistic integrity will be maintained,” she said.

“We have tried having the council body make decisions on art – it diminishes the art. It starts in one thing and finishes as something else.”

Wilson also said she was disappointed that both the artist and the complainant received criticism on social media this week after the story was revealed.

“People don’t realise when they’re making caustic personal comments on Facebook in particular how distressing that can be for the people involved because they’re humans,” she said.

“No one expects to be attacked like that, called names, and it’s just a really sad reflection of what happens in society if you do something that a couple of people don’t agree with, the retribution can be quite severe.

“And it happens a lot with public art. I’ve seen it a lot this week, and there’s so many other important issues to be honest.”

Bellas said last week that she was willing to change the colours once residents gave her negative feedback as she painted. However, she said the council told her to stick with orange because the mural had already gone through a long approvals process.

She told InDaily today she was grateful for the mayor and council’s support.

“The response to this mural has been extremely overwhelming, but I’m grateful for the council and mayor’s support,” Bellas said in a statement.

“And thank you to all the members of the public who have reached out to show their love and appreciation for the artwork!”