International artist unveils 10-storey Gold Coast mural

Guido’s creative labour took 18 days and wraps around two walls, showing the photo-realistic depictions of a man and a woman standing casually looking back towards the campus.

The University campus and 43-metre mural are located next to the Gold Coast Airport, which will welcome thousands of visitors to the city during Commonwealth Games.

Guido was born in Brisbane, and moved to Northern NSW to study visual arts at Southern Cross University Lismore campus before achieving international acclaim with works from Nashville to Dubai and his famous silo projects in the remote Australian towns of Brim and Coonalpyn.

He was thrilled to take on the project in Queensland’s South-East corner overlooking North Kirra beach, and has kept locals and tourists spellbound with his lifelike depictions taking shape one wall at a time.

“This project has extra importance to me because this is my state and my place, and this building is pretty prominent on the Gold Coast,” said Guido who works with a spray gun, paintbrushes and roller.

“I conducted workshops with students and staff during Orientation week at Southern Cross University Gold Coast and Lismore before starting the piece, and the concept developed organically from being here and spending time with the people. It’s technical and figurative.

“I’ve tried to conserve the texture of the building by using a water colour paint, with a lot of fades built up on top of each other. The tiny details all blend in from far away, but I like that up close the style falls apart and you can see the construction, which is what people can see from the stairwells and the window.”

Southern Cross University Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker said the mural defines the Gold Coast campus as a progressive meeting place, showcasing the community’s distinctive space and culture, and being next to the Gold Coast Airport it will welcome thousands of visitors to the region each day.

Visitors are welcome to visit Southern Cross University Gold Coast campus to appreciate the artwork, at Southern Cross Dr, Bilinga. Guido van Helten will return to Southern Cross University Gold Coast campus in May for a free public talk to discuss the creative process behind the mural.