Vibrant mural brings life to iconic lane

By Brendan Rees

A Melbourne street artist has transformed a blank wall in the heart of the CBD into a stunning mural thanks to a new program reactivating the city.

David “MEGGS” Hooke spent three days using acrylic paints to create his masterpiece in Flinders Lane, which he described as a “connectivity of natural elements”.  

“We were able to get the mural done in the nick of time,” MEGGS said before Melbourne was plunged into lockdown in August.

His mural – to be officially launched after Melbourne’s sixth lockdown ends – forms part of Xplore Melbourne, a free augmented reality outdoor art exhibition for everyone to enjoy.

Visitors can scan a QR code which will “unlock art, music and different treasures” with special offers, giveaways and prizes embedded throughout the interactive journey spanning 10 CBD locations.   

It works by simply holding a mobile device towards an artwork which reveals an interactive experience, bringing Melbourne’s art to life.

For MEGGS, the opportunity to create his 7.5- by 2.5-metre artwork was “exciting”, particularly being able to experiment with the augmented reality component which he said was “new territory” but it had “come together really well”.

“For me I absorb a lot of colour and textures that I take from landscapes that I’ve explored,” he said.

Street artist David “MEGGS” Hooke.
“It has a directional flow to it, it’s sort of about capturing a time of movement and flow – in this particular piece when it animates it reveals a golden wattle.”

MEGGS’s passion for street art began in 2003 and he has since gone on to produce work for the Spencer St Arcade and the 2021 Australian Open.

City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said Xplore Melbourne was important in supporting local businesses, helping keep Melburnians in jobs, and ensuring a “swifter and stronger” economic recovery.

Prizes for the program include retailer discounts, free tickets to the National Gallery of Victoria, multi-night stays at a CBD hotel, and more •

For more information: xploremelb.com.au