Have you ever walked past a portrait on the street, stopped for a while, gazed into the painting, and wondered, how it is painted surrealistically and sophisticatedly? Here are eight mural paintings from talented Australian artists you can find in Brisbane that will slow down your pavement and take your breath away.
1. Self/ Love in Bloom –Huon Kane
Huon Kane is a Meajing/Brisbane-based muralist, video artist, and visual artist. He uses pure symbolism to portray the platonic love of the Queer community. Nayana, the character holding the rose in a bleeding hand, entails the pain and challenges in accepting their identity and being accepted. It is located at 96 Albert Street, Brisbane CBD.
2. Paradise Street –Gus Eagleton
Gus Eagleton, the Australian-based street artist, collaborated with writer Kiara Taylor to narrate the daily life of a Brisbane young adult. The novelistic painting captures the character’s raffish elegance, snuggling up on thrifted furniture on a monotonous Sunday morning and holding a glass of cheap wine. The painting is another artwork at 96 Albert Street, Brisbane CBD.
3. Self-Isolation - Gus Eagleton
‘Self-isolation’ is another mural from Gus Eagleton in collaboration with the clothing brand Jordache. The painting reflects the modern age living under the influence of social media. The perfectly staged social media post, featuring a woman in her best dress in a well-designed home, is only a fantasy of escaping the reality of isolation during the pandemic. The artwork is at Superordinary, 62 Mary St, Brisbane CBD.
4. The Sketchbook –Maxim Chikanchi and Rozelle Tan
Maxim and Rozelle are both Brisbane artists. The painting is an exploration of memories and emotions through writing and drawing and reminds the passersby to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, fostering self-care and growth. It is located outside the Queensland University of Technology library and is inspired by its location.
5. Untitled –Hasan Kamil and Jordache Gage
Hasan Kamil is an artist and designer from Bristol, UK, and Jordache Gage is a Meanjin/Brisbane-based abstract surrealist artist. Both artists were mesmerised by a charismatic accordion player performing on the street in West End in 2023. Without knowing the name and background of the performer, they decided to paint his enjoyment, happiness, and spontaneousness from the memory of watching him playing music. Hansan focused on capturing the emotions and Jordache used his abstract interpretation to visualise the music he was playing. It is located in Boundary St, West End.
6. Flood –Fintan Magee
Fintan Magee is an Australian-based street artist. He portrays his personal experience in the 2011 Brisbane floods, conveying the severity of climate change. The lively characters entail the concern for environmental issues and refugee displacements in Queensland. It is also located below the Merivale Bridge and at the corner of Montague Road and Merivale Street in South Brisbane.
7. A Life Long Promise - Jodie Connolly
Australian-based designer and artist Jodie Connolly honours Legacy House’s unwavering service for many lives affected in Brisbane during wartime. The artwork portrays the house's rich historical background, with a red background denoting the impact of the community pillar. The painting is located at Fish Lane, South Brisbane.
8. Sardines –Katherine Viney
Katherine Viney is an artist, muralist, and graphic designer from Meanjin/Brisbane. With an incredibly unique sense of humour her art is often light-hearted and appealing. The sardine box is a painting for the Artforce Brisbane Electricity Box in 2022. The meaning behind the artwork is simple: The shape of the traffic signal box looks like a tin; the box is located near the river, and fish comes from the river; the box is near the market, and people would buy food at the market. The sardine box is at Montague Road and Jane Street, West End.
Next time you are out in the suburbs, perhaps take a moment to immerse yourself in the story of the paintings. Let the echoes of those imagined narratives linger as you return to the everyday.
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