S.T.Y.L.I.C.
44 drawings 9 x 6 cm, oil pastel on Stonehenge Kraft
S.T.Y.L.I.C is a visual exploration of Melbourne's public housing towers, iconic yet often overlooked structures that shape the city's skyline. These monolithic forms, designed in a variety of S, T, Y, L, I, and C-shaped plan forms, have become synonymous with both urban challenges and community resilience.
My series of 44 drawings represents the 44 towers across 28 sites. The work provides a comprehensive representation of these towers, each one a testament to their uniform construction yet distinct character. Through my work, I aim to challenge the prevailing negative perception of these buildings. While they are slated for demolishion or redevelopment, they are home vibrant and diverse communities I have aimed to reflect this in the variety and colour in the drawings.
They are a visual record of a city in transition, capturing a moment in time before these iconic buildings, and the communities they shelter, are forever altered.)
About
Nicholas Aplin
grew up in Sydney and currently resides in Naarm/ Melbourne. Having studied Fine Art in Sydney and Film Making in New York, Nicholas worked as a prop maker and illustrator most notably for the TV series Survivor. After spending time in remote natural environments it was a contrast returning to heavily built up cosmopolitan areas. It is this contrast that inspires Aplin’s current painting practice. of urban landscape painting. Working in oils, acrylics and oil pastel, Nicholas now finds himself exploring streetscapes, and urban environments, his art practice revolves around capturing junctures in the urban environment, the interplay of man made structures and nature and the effect these have on people. Nicholas has recently been a finalist in 2023 in the Hawkesbury art Prize and National emerging art prize.
