Perth Voice Interactive

A LEBANESE cafe in Maylands may have to scrub off its $2000 mural because of laws that ban the promotion of smoking.

The WA health department is investigating Rotana on Eighth Avenue—which has a sheesha lounge at its rear—to determine if it needs to remove a courtyard mural portraying clouds of smoke billowing from a woman’s nose and mouth.

The tobacco control branch visited last month after receiving a complaint.

Rotana acting manager Matthew Peters says the venue’s already been ordered to remove posters—featuring the same image—as well as signage displaying the silhouette of a hookah.

“It would be a bit ridiculous if the mural had to come down, it’s not advertising or glorifying smoking, it’s a work of art,” he claims.

“There’s no actual smoking implements in the mural at all.”

Jerome Davenport was asked to paint the mural after Rotana staff saw him painting the Faces of Beaufort Street, at Barlee Street carpark, in Mt Lawley. The 25-year-old non-smoking artist doesn’t understand the fuss.

“It’s not an advert—it’s art. It would be unfortunate if it had to come down.”

Davenport’s urban art features in several international magazines, including London Street-art Design Magazine and Raw Artists New York.

Rotana, located in the famous Old Bakery building, opened last year.

“The owners spent a lot of money on the re-fit, and we are trying to build up the business,” Mr Peters says.

“So to be hit with this in our first year is disappointing.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK