The Big Mouth Project made its first indelible footprint on the Melbourne arts and youth scene in April this year with a giant sculpture outside Melbourne’s biggest mouth, Luna Park. Now it’s back with a new creative interpretation of work safety, brought to you by mixed media artist Jonathan Zawada (affectionately nicknamed JZ by his peers).
What is the Big Mouth Project?
The Big Mouth Project is a collaboration between some of the world’s most talented artists and WorkSafe Victoria to spread the word amongst young people about speaking up and being safe at work. Artists have been asked to bring the issue to life in any way they see fit; be it paintings, sculptures, movies, t-shirts or toys!
Why should we care?
People aged 15 to 24 are twice as likely to sustain a workplace injury and be hospitalised than any other age group. Some injuries are minor, some are life changing and some are fatal. The Big Mouth Project is here to say the best way to stay safe is to use your mouth and speak up. Young workers need to understand that speaking up doesn’t make them a big mouth, but it does ensure they’ll be around to tell the story.
To this end, the second instalment of the Big Mouth Project has just kicked off, with JZ onboard.
So what has JZ done for the Big Mouth Project?
With an open brief for the project, JZ had the liberty of interpreting the campaign message in any way he desired. His interpretation of speaking up in the workplace has come in the form of a zine consisting of digital drawings around the letters that form the campaign message – ‘Speak Up, Be Work Safe.’
This limited edition zine can currently be found in cafes and retail outlets around Melbourne and regional Victoria. Also keep an eye out for the Big Mouth Project posters in and around key locations in Melbourne and regional Victoria, featuring JZ’s signature design – an image of a skull with a bandana over its mouth.
Who is this JZ?
JZ has produced work for music, art and fashion clients such as The Presets, Modular Records, BMW and Ksubi. Being a mixed media artist, his work has included anything from website design, illustration and fabric prints, to the art direction of photo shoots, books and magazines.
Did you say Presets?
Yes, JZ has been involved with The Presets since before the dance duo was even known as The Presets (they were called Prop back in the day). From website designs and t-shirt prints, to art direction of photo shoots and album cover designs, JZ holds the reigns with all things visual concerning the duo. JZ’s most notable achievement with The Presets came in 2008, when he took home the ARIA award for “Best Artwork” for the album cover of the duo’s #1 Australian Triple Platinum album Apocalypso.
What else has JZ done?
In 2005 JZ exhibited his first solo show ‘Semantic Webs’ at Monster Children Gallery. The show was a sell out and achieved resounding success. His second solo show at Monster Children Gallery was in February 2008. Titled ‘Boolean Values’, it was also a sell out in Sydney, before traveling to the Lee Gallery in Melbourne.
Following in the footsteps of…
Earlier this year, the Big Mouth Project launched with London-based sculptor and stencil artist, D*Face, designing and placing a giant sculpture of a loudhailer out the front of Melbourne’s biggest mouth, Luna Park, to illustrate his approach to speaking up on workplace safety.
For further information visit bigmouthproject.com
