Sia-inspired mural in Adelaide to be changed over artist likeness

A vibrant mural inspired by Adelaide musician Sia Furler is set to be changed after the musician’s management raised concerns over the likeness of the piece.

The commissioned mural was painted by Adelaide artist Jasmine Crisp as part of the Adelaide City Council’s plan to immortalise the city’s most significant musical exports.

The city is set to name four laneways after musicians Sia, Paul Kelly, The Angels and Cold Chisel — with each laneway featuring a mural or artwork inspired by the artist.

The Council has emphasised that Crisp’s vision was not to portray Sia, but to express the spirit of Sia’s music. Sia Furler Lane was the first street to be named. The mural, called She Imaged Buttons, was executed back in February.

The mural is set to be amended by the artist after Sia’s management contacted the Council concerned about the likeness.

“I think what’s happened is that once the mural was started it was seen and talked about as if it was a portrait of Sia, which was never the intention,” shared Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor via ABC.

“Young female artist Jasmine Crisp has done an incredible job, it is beautiful, it is bright and it is enormous,” Verschoor added.

“Her intention was never that people saw it as Sia … she’s going to do a bit more work on it to evolve it and make sure it moves more towards the original intention, that is a fan’s response to the music and the persona that is Sia.”

There has been a running dialogue between the Council and Sia’s management team — who have been wholly supportive of the mural.

“If you’re going to name a laneway after a music legend you have to work with them fairly closely,” Verschoor shared.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.