Yu-Chen (Avy) Perry with the new mural at Coffee Plus Tatura, a colourful gift to the town she loves.
The words “eyes on the road, Rhonda” were going through my mind as I drove along Hogan St in Tatura last week.
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If you have no idea what I’m talking about, it’s a line from an old RACV advertisement encouraging drivers to stay alert behind the wheel.
The reason those words popped into my head was because I was momentarily distracted by the amazing new mural on the side of Coffee Plus Tatura.
Rainbow-coloured angel wings, just waiting for me to park the car and take one of those insanely cool photos where I look like an angel. I know I’m not — but hey, they’ve been put there for a reason.
With balloons on the left and cute, Australian animals painted off to the right, I had to find out who created the artwork and why.
It turns out the mural is a gift to Tatura from the owner of Coffee Plus Tatura, Yu-Chen (Avy) Perry — who is just as lovely as the artwork itself.
“I just love artwork so much, and I often go over to Benalla to see their beautiful murals,” Avy said.
“I wanted the same here for Tatura, a place where people could stop and really enjoy what my artist friend Dery has created for me.
“I love Tatura and all the people here. My customers are like my friends and my family, and this was my way of giving something back to everyone.”
Avy met her artist friend Dery after first coming to Australia more than 14 years ago. The pair studied English together at TAFE.
Although Dery now resides in Melbourne, when Avy had a vision for the wall, and for artwork inside the café as well, she knew he was the right artist to call.
“He is so talented, and what he has done for me is amazing,” she said.
“I literally did some drawings on paper with my ideas, and he brought it all to life.”
The mural inside the coffee shop is filled with personal and community-inspired details.
From a jelly slice, to a tractor and cow representing Tatura, Avy’s pet dog, various equipment linked to Australian sport, an aeroplane and even the Taiwanese flag, representing where Avy originally came from.
“The mural inside the shop means a lot to me — it’s about the community of Tatura, the things I love about Australia, and where I come from,” Avy said.
“So many people are stopping by to see both murals, and it’s just wonderful.
“It feels like a dream come true, and I hope everyone comes to see them.”
Avy and Dery while the mural was being painted in early January.
From balloons to colourful angel wings to playful Australian animals, Avy Perry’s mural is inviting everyone to stop, smile and snap a pic.
Avy Perry wanted a space where the Tatura community could stop, enjoy art, and feel at home.
Avy’s inspiration for the inside shop mural.
Artist Dery pictured while painting the inside mural at Coffee Plus Tatura.
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