Brisbane's Boldest Walls: How Street Art Completely Changed My Commute
- Written by Mitchell Down
Driving through Brisbane it’s never just a commute for me. Honestly! I'm always scanning the side streets and laneways because there's always something cool hidden there. Street art has totally changed how I see this city—and Brisbane’s got some of the best in Australia, hands down.
I've been obsessed with street art since before I even knew what it was called. Now, Brisbane is basically one huge outdoor art gallery. And the artists behind it—like Anthony Lister, Fintan Magee, and Drapl—are the reason our streets feel so alive.
Anthony Lister is the kind of artist who makes you stop dead in your tracks. His work is bold, sometimes edgy, and honestly, just cool. He makes you think twice about ordinary life, and every mural he creates has layers worth unpacking. Then there’s Fintan Magee. People call him the "Aussie Banksy," but really, he's got his own style completely nailed down. Magee’s murals have this way of tackling big issues—stuff like climate change, social challenges, or everyday struggles—and turning them into something relatable. It's art with heart, and I love it.
Drapl’s murals are another favourite of mine. They’re colourful, bold, and full of life. His underwater mural recently painted in collaboration with Mural Nomad blew my mind. It’s like he took the ocean and splashed it right onto a city wall. You can't walk past it without feeling something—amazement, curiosity, or just a quick smile.
But Brisbane wasn’t always this colourful. Back in the day, street art was considered vandalism—just graffiti that people quickly painted over. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that things started to change. Local artists and community groups pushed the council to give street artists the space and respect they deserved. And over the past decade, Brisbane finally woke up to how much street art could transform the city.
Places like Fish Lane, Burnett Lane, and Bakery Lane became the heart of this artistic movement. If you walk down Fish Lane in South Brisbane today, you'll see murals everywhere—walls, garage doors, even power boxes are covered. This area turned from an ordinary thoroughfare into a spot where people slow down, take pictures, and genuinely enjoy their surroundings. It’s become an essential piece of Brisbane's identity.
These days, Brisbane actively supports its street art community with events like the Brisbane Street Art Festival, which brings local and international artists together every year. It’s amazing seeing artists from around the world flocking here to paint alongside locals, creating something that's both globally inspired and distinctly Brisbane.
I'm always looking for more locations to photograph my Sell Any Car Fast purchases against these murals. Pairing sleek vehicles with vibrant backdrops is exciting—it brings together two things I love, cars and creativity. A few years ago, I photographed a Mazda RX-7 for a friend outside Miss Demeanour on Rowes Lane and it’s still one of my favourite photos! I think street art provides the perfect backdrop because both cars and art are expressions of personal style and personality.
Street art isn’t just decoration; its Brisbane’s personality painted out in the open. It makes the city feel fresh, exciting, and full of potential. I just wish I had more time to see it all. If you’re ever selling your car in Brisbane and happen to know where to find the best street art, reach out any time. Every mural tells a story, and every time I discover one, I feel a little more connected to Brisbane. Its art, its history, and honestly—it makes me love living here even more.
Daily Bulletin
