2024 Artists

Introducing International Mural Fest 2024 Finalist, Helen English from Rotorua, New Zealand.

Helen is a multi-disciplinary artist with a long-standing interest in painting wildlife and humankind. Her work uses symbolism to convey a message in a realistic style. Strongly influenced by story and a need to show what lies beneath, the narrative in her painting is about the influence we have on the world and vice versa.

Helen loves painting on a large scale, bringing details and ideas to life in a space which has impact on its surroundings.
Working as both an artist and facilitator, Helen has been involved in various mural projects with community groups and schools.

Introducing International Mural Fest 2024 Finalist, Gren Freeman from Opossum Bay, Tasmania.

Having spent much of his working life in the signage industry, Gren transitioned into graphic design for the industry and then began designing and creating sculptured Australian animals using recycled roofing iron. His largest sculpture being two, life-sized Clydesdale horses which are exhibited in New Zealand.

Gren became interested in murals and street art in 2014 when he first entered Mural Fest. Since then, he has been a Finalist and Mural Fest Winner, most recently taking out the Highly Commended Award in 2020 for his mural ‘Preservation’.

Gren recently won the 2024 Rochester Mural Festival in Victoria with his mural ‘Impossible Dream’.

Introducing International Mural Fest 2024 Finalist, Kristina Greenwood from New South Wales.

Kristina is a freelance muralist and illustrator who creates imaginative murals and surrealist paintings.

The complexity of what it is to be human, and a love for the beauty of plants are huge sources of inspiration for Kristina.

Her work often wanders playfully between reality and the imaginary instilling whimsy and a sense of wonder in viewers. Constantly returning to the theme of pondering on the human experience and our connection with the intangible sides of our lives.

Introducing International Mural Fest 2024 Finalist, Rebecca Hayes from Tasmania.

Rebecca is a local doctor in the Northern Midlands area where she lives with her husband and three children. Rebecca enjoys painting plants, animals and landscapes and works on art commissions when she has time.

In 2023, Rebecca installed a 24m2mural featuring Australian flora and fauna which can be seen at 180 Fairtlough Street in Perth, Tasmania.

Introducing International Mural Fest 2024 Finalist, Kerry Nicholson from Queensland.

A self-taught artist crafting art from passion, Kerry is inspired by artists like Andrew Tishler and Greg Simpkins and captivated by novels such a Shogun by James Clavel.

Kerry’s work aims not just to captivate but to provoke thought, igniting memories and deeper reflections in viewers.

Kerry runs a sign business and mural painting business for both government and private sector clients.

Over the years, Kerry has secured several winning positions in prestigious mural competitions and has been recognised as runner-up in many art contests in both Australia and New Zealand. A past finalist at Mural Fest, Kerry and his brother Malcolm won the International Mural Fest 2023 People’s Choice Award with their mural, ‘The Spirit of Adventure’.

Introducing International Mural Fest 2024 Finalist, Marco Pennacchia from Victoria.

Marco’s art is deeply rooted in his Italian heritage, enriched by influences from his travels and his experiences after moving to Australia. Studying sculpture in high school laid the foundation for his transition into oil painting. Heavily influenced by classical and Renaissance art, over time he began experimenting with new materials, techniques and mediums like chalk and acrylic and then expanding his practice to include large scale murals.

Marco’s blending of classical Italian art with contemporary approaches reflects his evolving style and concepts.

His specialisation in portraits and realism is driven by a fascination with anatomy and movement. By emerging traditional methods with modern techniques, Marco aims to capture the depth and beauty of the human form, creating art that resonates with both timeless and contemporary sensibilities.

Introducing International Mural Fest 2024 Finalist, Jan Rigden Clay from Sheffield, Tasmania.

Jan has primarily been a photorealism painter and has sold her work worldwide for private and corporate collections. And over the years, she has collaborated on many artistic projects with her son, Shasa Bolton.

Jan is not new to Mural Fest having assisted Shasa at Mural Fest 2022 where they won the Judges Highly Commended Award for their mural ‘Promised Land’. This year, Shasa will be assisting Jan. Much of his work can be found throughout the
Tasmazia model village in Kentish. Shasa enjoys trompe l’oeil and surreal painting and has completed murals in Australia and New Zealand.

Introducing International Mural Fest 2024 Finalist, Lucretia Torva from the United States.

Lucretia is an artist/painter based in Phoenix, Arizona but will travel anywhere to paint. Painting on canvas in oils and acrylics, Lucretia has acquired an addiction to painting murals in recent years.

A realist painter, fascinated with surfaces, textures and reflections, Lucretia hopes to inspire viewers to look at the world with greater care and amazement. She enjoys creating art that prompts people to say “Wow!” for whatever reason.

There are two aspects to designing a mural that truly light Lucretia up! The first is creating a compelling story for the client and viewers. The story can be laced with history, can be viewed numerous times without seeing everything and is a singular
statement for that location. The second is creating a unique sense of space that dissolves the 2D surface of the wall, using deep perspective or “fool-the-eye” techniques.

The spatial aspects become a point of engagement and activate the existing area. Her designs use all the visual elements: interesting and dynamic yet not confusing, with enough contrast and shapes that lead the eye through the composition.

Introducing International Mural Fest 2024 Finalist, Anna Wilde from Victoria.

Anna resides in Melbourne and is a retired graphic artist having graduated from Curtin University of Technology in Perth with a Degree in Design. She has worked as a freelance graphic designer and later in her career went on to teach graphic design at Chisholm Institute of Technology and Holmesglen Institute of Technology in Melbourne.

Anna will be assisted by Judy Nelson from Westbury, Tasmania. For forty years, Judy created graphic design course material and is now retired from teaching. She is currently a practicing artist who participates in exhibitions and competitions.