Intricate hand-painted portraits of women now grace the walls of Crossbar Café after Melbourne street artist Miso took up residency at NGV Australia last month.
Miso has risen to international prominence through her distinctive Art Nouveau inspired depictions of women which are often presented framing doorways in the streets of Melbourne.
Inspired by the drawings and text contained in her sketchbooks, Miso says this mural is a reflection on the last three years of her life.
“It was a good time to sit with all my sketchbooks and draw from them spontaneously,” Miso said.
“I have recreated them here as big blueprints on the wall of everywhere I have been and the people I have drawn – notes from Saudi Arabia, portraits of friends from New York, Ukraine, Berlin and Tokyo.”
David Hurlston, Curator, Australian Art said: “Melburnians will be familiar with Miso’s unique and hauntingly beautiful style, examples of which appear high and low in the laneways of the city and recently, having made a transition from the streets, in more mainstream settings and on gallery walls.
“This is a very beautiful and evocative work that invites visitors into the artist’s world and to engage with her personal creative processes.”
Miso was a contributor to the Everfresh mural that helped launch NGV Studio in 2011.
Throughout summer, Miso’s Diary drawings will be on display at Crossbar Café at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. Crossbar Café is operated by Peter Rowland Catering and offers great coffee and a range of delicious snacks and meals. Crossbar Café is open Tues–Sun, 10am – 5pm.
– ends –