The best street art in Brunswick

A little further north, Brunswick does not have the same profusion of murals as Fitzroy and Collingwood. But the neighbourhood is still home to several works that are worth the detour. Most are concentrated either around Lygon Street on the border with Brunswick East, or around Sydney Road. To help you not miss anything, here is the ultimate guide to where to find the best street art in Brunswick and Brunswick East!

The most beautiful murals in Brunswick and Brunswick East

See also

The best street art in Melbourne CBD
The best street art in Fitzroy and Collingwood
The best street art in Prahran, South Yarra and Windsor
The best street art in St Kilda
The best street art in South Melbourne

Along Lygon Street, from south to north

Let’s begin with a very colourful mural at the intersection with Weston Street, painted by Katherine Gailer aka Katira.

Going up Lygon Street, Ann Street on the left appears to be nothing special. But it leads onto Sunshine Lane, where you will find several beautiful murals! My favourite is this gorgeous portrait by Findac of a young woman in traditional Toraja clothing, an ethnic group from Indonesia. Among the other works, several collaborations between artists: Juzpop and Dvate (a woman with sunglasses), Ling and Baxter (a man with a cap) and Alex Sugar and Dr Dosey (a menacing octopus). There’s also the portrait of a grimacing man on a garage door by Damien Mitchell, and a work by Drez playing on perspectives with colour gradients.

Strong and committed work by Jeswri at the intersection with Piera Street. It represents indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe, fighting for the recognition of Aboriginal rights.

Focus: John Murray

Also on Sunshine Lane, you'll probably notice this stoned-looking emu smoking a cigarette. This is the trademark of John Murray, an Australian artist also known for his photo-realistic paintings of outback landscapes. You can see his portraits of quirky/hippie native animals in several places around Melbourne.

No need to leave Lygon Street to find the next work. At the intersection with Blythe Street, overlooking a parking lot, this huge and stunning mural painted by Peter 'CTO' Seaton is impossible to miss!

As you walk down Sydney Road, you will see several works on both sides of the street, including the dancing figures of Tom Civil, the abstract shapes of Baxter (on Ballarat Street), a very colourful mural by Ellis Dee at the corner with Albert Street, or an ecological message on the facade of the Savers store by the artist Danielle Weber.

The most impressive work in Brunswick in my opinion is on Tinning Street, next to the railway line. On an old silo, the artist Loretta Lizzio depicted former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinta Ardern hugging a veiled woman after the Christchurch massacre. In 2019, a white supremacist opened fire in two mosques in the city, killing 51 people.

The facade of the Pelican Studio on Edward Street features a collaboration between several artists, including Chuck Mayfield, Mike Makatron (the pelican on the left), and Hayden Dewar (on the right corner). Further along this same street is the amusing portrait of a dog by Putos.

Around Sydney Road, from north to south

Further down, you will probably recognise the style of Mike Makatron on this mural depicting Brunswick after nature had reassert itself! I also love the vintage style of this black and white portrait of actress Rita Hayworth on the wall of the Brunswick Club, by Theodore Hartman. A little further away, take a detour to Manallack Street to admire the colourful plants of Textaqueen.

On the facade of the Barkly Square mall, artists Bonsai and Ghostpatrol have depicted several childish-looking characters. Don't miss Twoone's black and white owl facing them either.

Finally, at the intersection with Barkly Street, find a work by the artist Damian Cazali on the facade of the Mexican fast food restaurant Guzman y Gomez.

What are your favourite murals in Brunswick and Brunswick East? Did I forget to mention some of them? Send me a message to let me know!