Perth Voice Interactive

HE is Maylands’ best-kept secret.

Down on Tranby Reserve, in the old forgotten interpretive centre building, artisan Matt McVeigh is beavering away, making sets for the stage production of Cloud Street, painting landscapes, and designing mechanical kangaroos.

He moved into the building in 2010, courtesy of a subsidised rent arrangement with Bayswater city council, and since then has gone from strength to strength.

His work includes solo exhibitions, set designs and visual arts, including a four-metre ice sculpture and kinetic wind sculptures.

He is one of the early success stories in a suburb quickly becoming a hotbed for musicians and artists, migrating from extortionate rents in Mt Lawley.

“There is no point in a building lying empty and unused when it could be used as a studio and also benefit the community.”

When the Voice caught up with McVeigh he was building a set for a production by Spare Parts Puppet Theatre.

He is pleased to see Maylands is taking off and wants to see more artists benefit from his experience.

“I think more artists could be encouraged to use unused buildings in Maylands by offering them subsidised rents,” says the 26-year-old.

“I think my experience has showed it can work. It has not only benefited me, but the local community, as I have done art for various locals shows and productions.

“There is no point in a building lying empty and unused when it could be used as a studio and also benefit the community.”

McVeigh graduated from the WA Academy of Performing Arts in 2008, majoring in design for live performance.

The council will consider extending McVeigh’s lease later this month.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK