Have you seen our Eat Street Mural?

Brett Piva is a Newcastle-based painter, sculptor, installation artist, and muralist. His work beautifully bridges two realms: the natural landscapes of the Australian bush and the urbanized surfaces of city spaces.

In our Eat Street mural, Piva draws inspiration from the natural environment, incorporating the colours and lines of eucalypts in Jesmond Park, the ocean, and the sky above. Piva’s art breathes life into the space, infusing Newcastle's naturally vibrant colour palette while capturing the textural elements of nature in a most unique manner.

Piva’s years working in design and commercial painting gives him an edge of understanding how a mural needs to work alongside architecture.

We did Q&A with Brett:

1 - Can you describe the process of a mural artwork?

The process for me, always begins in the natural or urban environment.  Taking note of colour, form and texture. These are later performed in the studio using gestural marks and considered abstraction before any motion towards a mural design is made. From these developments in the studio, a design is commenced by layering each element with aim to create depth withing an abstract piece. 

The design is later scaled up to fit the size of a wall using grid techniques practiced in an early Signwriting career. No projector is used, just the right calculations for scale before painting. 

My painting process mainly involves acrylic paint using roller and brush with the minimal addition of spray paint for some effects.

2 - How long does it take to finish a piece?

It all depends on the style required, the scale of the wall and logistics on site. I usually aim to be as efficient as possible while putting in long hours each day. What may take some 15 days to complete, with correct planning, additional hours each day and extensive knowledge of the process and material, I can have a mural completed in 10.

3 - What do you hope people take from your artwork?

Pure enjoyment. The work is there for a viewer to experience and translate in their own way. I was happy to experience this while painting on site with customers and staff of all ages interacting with the work in different ways. Majority really loving the colours and transformation of the space and asking if I can paint more. It was a great experience for me painting in Jesmond and getting to know the community while hearing their thoughts on the work. 

A passionate advocate for the arts in Newcastle and Australia, Piva is the founder and director of Newcastle’s Onwards Gallery. An arts warehouse sharing creative studios with an events and exhibition space. 

For more information on Brett and his work, check out Brett Piva's website. https://www.brettpiva.com/

Be sure to check out our new Eat Street mural by Brett Piva, adding to the artistic vibrancy of our centre.