A special mural has been launched at the South Melbourne Markets on Wednesday morning to coincide with the club’s 150 year celebrations.
Rebecca Skilton, number one ticket holder and granddaughter of Bloods Legend, Bob Skilton was on hand alongside Bloods Legend Peter Bedford to take a close look at the incredible design which honours the club's rich heritage.
The mural in Bloods heartland was a project between the club and the City of Port Phillip Council and represents the club’s history over a significant period and features a selection of key figures from the club’s South Melbourne days.
The phrase “Two cities, one team, together living the dream” is also prominent is on the artwork, representing our South Melbourne heritage and the club's journey to Sydney.
Featured on the mural are Bloods Legends Bob Skilton, Ron Clegg and Peter Burns as well as Hall of Fame member John Rantall and the club’s first Indigenous player Elkin Reily.
The mural was designed and painted by Indigenous artists Jesse Wright, also known as Jeswri, from Gadigal land, best known for his large scale public art and commercial collaborations.
"Painting the mural has been really great, everyone has been really supportive," Wright said.
"It's been nice to see the Swans fans come by when I have been painting it and give me really cool feedback and support and lovely things to say.
"The best part for me was connecting with my hometown of Sydney and connecting the dots for me - having left Sydney to come down to live in Melbourne and the Swans moved from South Melbourne to Sydney, so it's a nice fit and I have had lots of beautiful feedback.
"The trickiest part was to wrap all the sides of it, it's a very unique canvas so I have mixed a few sides into one to make it a bit more of a melting pot for Swans fans. The portraits are some of my favourite parts, particularly of Elkin Reilly, being an Indigenous player. Taking my time and being able to explore it has been really cool."
The Sydney Swans Head of Melbourne and Growth Jonathon Monasso said that it was fantastic to be able to see the project come to life and fitting to have launched the mural this week.
"This weekend being the second week of Sir Doug Nicholls Round and having Jesse, a proud Gadigal artist complete the artwork and include Elkin Reilly on the mural is very fitting," Monasso said.
"We have a very special connection to South Melbourne, we are proud of our history and as we celebrate 150 years its fitting we have this mural in the heart of South Melbourne. We hope the community can come down and enjoy this for many years to come."
Sydney Swans members and fans are encouraged to take a look at the mural at South Melbourne Markets which will be there permanently. You will find it in the carpark on York Street.
