In recent years, a host of renowned international and local artists have transformed laneways, roads and car parks into a vibrant Subiaco street art gallery. From surrealism to expressionism and everything in between, you will find a colourful collection of art scattered throughout Subiaco’s neighborhood. Look out for some of our favourites and you might uncover a new piece or two!
Bran Nue Dae Mural
Located on the corner of Roberts and Rokeby road, this captivating artwork pays homage to the first Aboriginal musical, Bran Nue Dae, that first played at Subiaco’s Regal Theatre over 30 years ago. Painted by Kamsani Bin-Salleh, the mural depicts the colours of the Broome landscape, capturing the journey of the characters and the production itself over the past 30 years.
Okudart Mural
You will find this vibrant artwork on the back of an apartment building in Forest Square carpark. Painted in 2018 by Spanish artist Okuda San Miguel (Okudart), the mural is an ode to Australia’s multicultural community. The koala, meant to represent Australia, holds a globe that represents Australia’s many diverse groups and cultures.
Subiaco was Built on a Sunday
Artist Melski McVee worked with the Subiaco Museum in order to accurately depict Subiaco’s retail history in this eye-catching work. Painted onto the side of the Cat Cafe, the mural’s name derives from the idea that Sunday was traditionally the only day of the week that locals weren’t at work, giving them the time to build their own homes.
The Boy on the Red Bike
On the top half of Rokeby Road’s Australia Post building, American artist Evoca1 cleverly captures the essence of the Australian postal service. The nostalgic artwork depicts a black swan flying alongside a young postal worker, evoking a whimsical vision of Perth.
The Parable of the Tree
Commissioned by the Subiaco Church of Christ, the mural was inspired by Jesus’s parable of the seed. The finished mural features the silhouettes of Subiaco locals moving around an impressive Boab tree. Painted by artist Bee Tan, the mural was finished with help from community volunteers and can be found in the Rowland Street Carpark.
Sky’s Chorus
In Sky’s Chorus, local artist Clare McFarlane captures a migrating flock of Carnaby Black Cockatoos against the spectacular colours of the Australian desert landscape. The mural can be found in a laneway beginning at 30 Rokeby Road.
Wellshaken
This Moroccan-inspired mural is painted onto the back of Meeka Restaurant at 361 Rokeby Road. One of Perth’s favourite backdrops for instagram photoshoots, artist Wellshaken based his design around a Moroccan Lantern tile, having designed the mural using a compass and a pencil.
Butterflies
Perth artist Anya Brock strongly identifies with the abstract expressionists hailing from 1950’s America and is best known for her bold use of colour and brush strokes. Brock’s cheerful butterfly mural can be found on the corner of Churchill and Townshend Road brightening up the Fresh Start Recovery Program building.
Great Wall of Fine China
The seventy-four metre long Great Wall of Fine China mural can be found at the Hay Street underpass on the corner of Hay Street and Stubbs Terrace. Painted by artists Darren Hutchens, Dan Duggin and Lawry Holdren, the work tells the story of Australian Fine China industry which was based in Subi between 1921 to 2006.
Little Wing Corner Gallery Wall
Located on Olive Street in Subiaco, the Corner Gallery mural is an ever-changing collaborative project made up of artworks from local and international artists. Stretching across the entire gallery building, the mural features a quirky combination of retro and contemporary style aerosol artworks. As of October 2020, the newest mural is ‘The Musician’ by @doodlesintransit, depicting the inside of the musician’s head, featuring colourful cogs and some alien-looking beings. Check out the video to see his masterpiece unfold before your eyes!
