Tell us about yourself?

Originally from Sydney, Australia, I spend my time painting, making music and doing exhibitions and projects globally. My multi-story works have adorned buildings in Berlin, Los Angeles, New York and Barcelona. When it comes to my gallery works, I paint exclusively with oils.

When I am in the studio, my paint work focuses on sweet pop-culture nostalgia, then I subject them to attack. Erasing squeegee strokes disfigure iconic figures, transforming them into something new, something more. Gods from art, cinema and cartoon culture are assaulted, detained and questioned. It’s a traumatic process, but through it something impossible happens. I aim to bring the dry husks of our cultural dead back to life.

Recently, I had my first large scale solo show in Los Angeles in November. My band, The Hard Drugs played at Frankie’s Pizza on the 29th of October too.

Tell us about your background and your connection to the Inner West.

I’ve lived in the Inner West for 15 years, predominantly around Marrickville.I wouldn't live anywhere else in Sydney as it's where the culture is.

When you were starting out, what sort of collaboration did you seek, or where did. you go to get information?

When I first started out as an artist, I would approach bars about painting murals around Erskineville/ Newtown. I also looked for opportunities internationally by doing residences. I was fortunate to participate in the Inner West Council’s ‘Perfect Match’ street art program. Originating as a unique initiative tackling unwanted tagging and graffiti, the program quickly grew to mentoring emerging artists, fostering legitimate creative expression, and creating site-specific large scale paintings in public spaces. The Perfect Match approach brings artists, residents, businesses, property owners and communities together to collaboratively create fantastic new street artworks in public places.

By participating in this program, I found it a great stepping stone in building a strong network of supportive Inner West individuals, when establishing myself as a working artist.

Would having a collection of like-minded people available to run ideas by have been a game changer?

Yes, being a painter often means you are working in isolation. Having a group of like-minded people around is paramount and allows me to further develop my practice. We aren't islands and we need support! Not only financially. Brainstorming is hugely important also; it's where great ideas come from that allows progress and change.

Where you can find Brad

You can learn more about Brad’s work here: Portraits, Paintings & Murals by Brad Robson

Instagram: @robsonartist