Daniel Fusch
Image Credit: Nicky Create
In an era of the soft beige aesthetic, the young Australian street and mural artist Nicky Create brings a vibrant color to urban spaces. From high school talent to international artist, her mission has always been to create artworks that speak to all people, using hand-painted murals to engage diverse global audiences. Through the power of public art, Nicky aims to make meaningful connections.
Escapism, Talent, and Success
Before applying her talents commercially, Nicky used art as a form of escapism from her often unstable childhood. This early relationship with art as refuge led Nicky to develop her talent further in high school, even completing senior art classes during her junior year. Upon graduating, Nicky enrolled in Adelaide University to complete a Bachelor of Media.
Early Career and an Opportunity
Nicky excelled in her classes, but also worked to gain experience by interning and chasing side hustles. During her third year, she took on multiple roles, including University events assistant and photographer, landed an internship at Womadelaide Music Festival, taught yoga on Sundays, worked on marketing for a vegan skin care company, and worked as a dishwasher at a local cafe. At that cafe, Nicky found an unlikely opportunity.
“While working at the local cafe, my boss asked me to find a mural artist,” Nicky shared. “I hadn’t ever painted a wall, or much in general, I was a charcoal artist, but decided I should do it as I was cheaper. I painted a pair of wings… from there, it took off.”
Image Credit: Nicky Create
Using Murals to Build Connections
Today, Nicky is the proud owner of a mural business which shares her name, and has established herself as a prominent female painter and mural artist in Adelaide. She has been painting as a full-time artist for the past eight years, and cannot imagine turning back. With every new work, Nicky imparts a sense of positivity, happiness, and genuine joy to audiences and passersby, demonstrating the power of public art.
Over the course of her career, Nicky has worked with several prominent companies, hand-painting brand art for brand events, advertising, and installations. Most notably, she painted and built an installation for Red Bull’s organic range, did hand-painted advertising for ING Banking cards, painted two large murals for AMMI Insurance in Adelaide and Melbourne, and painted Bailey Nelson’s new store in Adelaide.
“It’s incredible that a wall filled with paint can give someone such physical emotions,” Nicky said. “The power of public art needs more credit for what it can do in people’s lives… It’s for anyone, not just those in a fancy gallery. Art is for everyone to enjoy.”
Navigating Challenges and Future Plans
Like many artists working in public spaces, Nicky has had to traverse the business side of creativity, balancing artistic vision with client expectations. Moving forward, Nicky’s ambition is to continue working with major clients internationally, all while participating in larger brand activation and commercial art event projects. Her goals include working with companies to create murals, advertising, and consumer artwork, as well as painting at live events, teaching paint and wine classes, and advocating for human work over AI art. Ultimately, Nicky aims to be a “vibe curator of good times.”