Brisbane Street Art Festival

OFFICIAL STATEMENT – Brisbane Street Art Festival 2026 After more than a decade of transforming Brisbane’s walls and public spaces into living art, we have some deeply disappointing news to share. BSAF will not be taking place in 2026. This was not a decision we came to lightly. Over many months, our small and dedicated team explored every available avenue to secure the funding needed to present a festival worthy of this city. Despite that sustained effort, we were unable to proceed. A free, large-scale public art festival of BSAF’s scope depends on meaningful investment from government and partners. That investment did not come together for 2026. We are continuing to engage with all levels of government and the arts sector to make the case for renewed support. A Decade That Changed This City Since 2016, BSAF has supported hundreds of artists to deliver more than 400 works of public art across Brisbane — from Northshore to Spring Hill, the Airport to the CBD. We’ve brought world-class artists to our streets: Rachael Sarra, Fintan Magee, Sofles, Guido van Helten, Adnate, Said Dokins, Sor Two, and many more. BSAF has not just displayed art. It has created artists, built careers, sparked conversations, and made the case that public space belongs to everyone. Building The Path To 2027 This is a pause, not a full stop. We are forming a 2027 steering group, bringing together artists, cultural leaders, and community advocates, to build the foundations for BSAF’s return. We’ll be sharing updates on that work and our advocacy for the sustained public arts investment this city deserves. If you believe in what BSAF represents, we need your voice now. Write to your local councillor. Share this statement. Tag us and tell your story. Every message sent is a vote for the kind of city Brisbane chooses to be. To our artists, volunteers, partners, and audiences, you didn’t just attend this festival. You made it. The walls are still out there. The art is still standing. And so are we. With love, gratitude and determination, Lincoln Savage & Joelle Wong Brisbane Street Art Festival

I had the privilege of travelling to Brisbane, Australia to take part in @bsafest , and is one of the most significant experiences of my artistic practice. Australia gave me encounters with artists, communities and people of extraordinary generosity and talent, amazing people like @aletheabeetson , @shanifinch , @burgkaba , @jadescott_ , @thatlincoln , @qt_ , @mitchsmegapixels , @lukesmitheram , @gothdayout , @simplebao , @grisone , @toksojophoto , @carlia_louise , @vanessasuzette_makeup , @nube_jaguar , @mstdesign , @itsamye , @emohbrien , @kittyonthemountain and so many others with whom I shared walls, conversations and that particular energy that only happens when so many creative people come together. There I painted two murals under the concept Sleeping Languages in Queensland: a tribute to the Aboriginal cultures and languages of Queensland. It was deep work, built from listening to organisations like @digiyoutharts and shaped by the words that the people of Brisbane shared with me. I remember that after months of paperwork like visas, permits, forms, I turned up to my first meeting with Digi Youth Arts with a boring slide presentation, very institutional, very formal. And Digi Youth simply introduced themselves with a beautiful song that gave me goosebumps. That moment reminded me that community, art and connection always come first, everything else is just admin. Today BSAF shares some difficult news: the festival will not be going ahead in 2026 due to a lack of government funding. A festival that over a decade produced more than 400 murals and transformed the public identity of an entire city deserves every bit of support it can get. The walls are still standing, the art is still there, and so are we. Public art is not a luxury, it’s a community right. 🙏🏽 @brisbanecitycouncil @artsqueensland help #BSAFEST

Hello!! It is the second year of the Brisbane / Meanjin Paste Up Festival (BMPUF), to run in May again this year, the same weekend as @bsafest events. Last year went even better than expected, and I hope to see lots of people get involved again!   Paste up is arguably the most democratic form of art because it can be done by anyone with no need for qualifications or approval from the establishment, and the safer process also makes it more equitable. This is open to all - send in a photo, drawing, glueable sculpture, painting, print or collage!   All you have to do is mail your artwork (preferably on thin paper - this glues best) for arrival before 9 May to:   “M Cavendish (BMPUF) Yuggera and Turrbal Country POB 729 NEW FARM QLD 4005 AUSTRALIA”

Join us for FREE creative workshops this Saturday, 15th Nov as part of the Meanjin Reggae Festival held in Musgrave Park (South Brisbane) 💥 🎨 Aerosol Workshop from 12pm - 1pm 👩🏻‍🎨 Slap Up Sticker Art from 1pm - 2pm *Registrations required, limited spots available /bsafworkshops This project is proudly funded by the Lord Mayor’s Community Fund for The Gabba 2024-2025 from Brisbane City Council.

‼️MURAL ARTIST ‼️ Russell Fenn, better known as Sofles (@sofles ), is an Australian graffiti artist originating from Brisbane. Self-taught, he has been honing his skills for over 20 years, exploring various mediums such as spray paint, acrylic, drawing and brush painting, as well as digital and illustration works. Sofles’ large scale murals have taken him around the world ten times over and now grace many of the world’s largest cities, including Berlin, Copenhagen, Oslo, Las Vegas, and LA. Clients he has worked with include Amazon Prime, Art Aid, Amity Affliction, Commonwealth Games Gold Coast, Culture Kings, ESPN, Ironlak, KSR Gallery, Juddy Roller, Lego, Marvel, Miami Art Basel, Mural Oasis, Quicksilver, Red Bull, Tennis Australia, Uber, Universal Studios, Westfield and many more. His bright graphics, strong colours, fine details and abstract elements have caught the attention of many art-lovers and those alike. Sofles has a clear goal with his art; he aims to create strong images that evoke emotions in people. “I believe art should be an important part of the city landscape. I want to create public art for people to enjoy, to transform spaces”, he says. Drawing inspiration from nature, society, graffiti and traditional art, his work focuses on the ideas of time, dimensions, and an abstract mix of past experiences. We look forward to sharing Russells’s art as the festival progresses. #BrisbaneStreetArtFestival #BSAF #BSAF2025

Dropped in to visit the legend @ontheleans today while he was working on his new wall for @bsafest . Crazy level of detail, video doesn’t really do the size justice! Keep an eye out for his video he’s been working on 🤙 #brisbane #australia #ontheleans #bsafest #mural #dji #drone #streetsluggasnaps

🎨 STREET ART CYCLING TOUR (STARTING AT FISH LANE) 🎨 BSAF makes it easy to experience some of Brisbane’s latest and greatest murals with our Street Art Cycling Tours! Led by a local street artist, you’ll enjoy a guided ride along Brisbane’s scenic bike paths, discovering brand-new works from BSAF 2024 alongside iconic murals from previous years.The tour will take you through the CBD and surrounding suburbs, offering insight into the artists and stories behind these impressive creations.You can leave the lycra at home. This relaxed afternoon ride is designed for all ages and fitness levels to soak in Brisbane’s vibrant art scene and beautiful surroundings. Note: Bring your own bike. When: Sunday 18th May | 3:00pm – 5:00pm Where: Fish Lane, Town Square, South Brisbane The workshops are proudly presented with Fish Lane Tickets are limited, purchase today from BSAFest.com.au �#BrisbaneStreetArtFestival #BSAF #BSAF2025

🎨 Workshop: Slap Up Sticker Art🎨 In this workshop, you’ll dive into the world of Slap Ups. Participants will explore a series of hands-on activities—from image making and manipulation to creating their own Slap Ups and posting them on our pop-up Graf wall. Slap Ups (also known as Sticker Art) have long been a vital part of street art culture, offering a space for cross-pollination between mediums and creative movements. Using techniques like collage and digital alteration, Slap Ups empower artists to craft striking, subversive visuals that push back against the dominance of mass media. It’s also a culture of exchange—artists frequently trade stickers to expand their reach, allowing their work to travel across cities, countries, and continents, often landing in places they’ve never been. When: Sunday 18th may 12:00pm to 1:00pm Where: Maritime Green Park at Northshore The workshops are proudly presented with @northshorebrisbane Tickets are limited, purchase today from BSAFest.com.au �#BrisbaneStreetArtFestival #BSAF #BSAF2025

🎨 Workshop: Brushwork Through Still Life🎨 In this workshop, classes will dive into the world of realism while refining their brushwork skills. An artist mentor will guide groups through the process of bringing a subject from vision to the page, covering key techniques such as scaling, creating depth, and working with a variety of brushes and styles. When: Saturday 17th May | 12pm – 2pm Where: Maritime Green Park at Northshore The workshops are proudly presented with @northshorebrisbane Tickets are limited, purchase today from BSAFest.com.au �#BrisbaneStreetArtFestival #BSAF #BSAF2025

🎨 Workshop: Colour By Numbers For Kids 🎨 In this hands-on experience, kids will be guided through the completion of a simple mural work with an experienced artist. With the outlines of the mural ready to go, you’ll splash on colour to bring this mural to life – while gaining knowledge of mural art techniques, colour theory, and other skills that they can use and develop in many branches of life. All materials supplied. *Please note that this workshop is only open to children under the age of 18, and all participants have to be accompanied by a parent/guardian. When: Saturday May 17th, from 10:00am to 11:00am Where: Maritime Green Park at Northshore The workshops are proudly presented with @northshorebrisbane Tickets are limited, purchase today from BSAFest.com.au �#BrisbaneStreetArtFestival #BSAF #BSAF2025

‼️MURAL ARTIST ‼️� Fintan Magee (@fintan_magee ) is a Sydney based social realist painter, specialising in large-scale murals. Born in 1985 in Lismore, New South Wales, to an architect mother and father who was a sculptor, he started drawing at a young age. His earlier large-scale paintings often inhabited the isolated, abandoned and broken corners of the city, and today are found all over the world including in London, Vienna, Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Kyiv, Rome, Jordan, and Dublin among others. Magee’s practice is informed by a profound interest in political murals, inspired by exposure at a young age to those of his father’s native Northern Ireland. This is reflected in the socialist nature of his public artworks, which combine journalistic elements with public art. Magee’s work is driven by his recognition of the power of murals to communicate political and social viewpoints and thus divide or unite communities. Drawing from personal experience and the mundane, his figurative paintings are deeply integrated with the urban environment and explore themes of diversity, migration and transition, waste and consumption, loss, and the environment. His works exude an inherent sentimentality and softness influenced by children’s books and the Low Brow art movement. In recent years, Magee has solidified his position as one of Australia’s leading public artists and has traveled extensively, completing projects in countries across the world, including Belarus, India, Jordan, Spain, Tahiti, USA, among many others. His recent solo exhibitions are ‘Big Dry’ at Think Space in Los Angeles (2018), ‘Waves’ at Mathgoth Gallery in Paris (2017) and ‘Water World’ at Backwoods Gallery in Melbourne (2016). We look forward to sharing their art as the festival progresses. #BrisbaneStreetArtFestival #BSAF #BSAF2025

🎨 Workshop: Calligraphy 🎨 Step into the world of calligraphy with this engaging workshop! Learn how to elevate your writing by incorporating artistic design, enhancing your decorative visual communication skills.An experienced artist will guide you through a collaborative piece while introducing a range of calligraphy lettering techniques.Beginners will gain a strong foundation in calligraphy across different mediums, while more advanced participants will have the chance to refine and expand their skills. All art materials will be provided. When: Saturday 17 May from 11:00am to 1:00pm Where: Fish Lane, Town Square, South Brisbane The workshops are proudly presented with Fish Lane Tickets are limited, purchase today from BSAFest.com.au �#BrisbaneStreetArtFestival #BSAF #BSAF2025