“My Art Has Helped Me Learn to Stand My Ground”: Meet Gunggari Street Artist Desirai

Brisbane Street Art Festival will return to the River City next month, serving up a smorgasbord of public murals, installations, art events and workshops. Running from 7–22 May throughout the city and based out of Superordinary Northshore, the program is the festival’s largest yet, and will see Brisbane transform through a kaleidoscope of creative expression. 

To mark the festival’s return and show some love to the artists involved, we caught up with rising star Desirai who will be painting a live mural for public viewing on 7 and 21 May and hosting a digital illustration workshop on 17 May. Head here for more info about the event and to see the full program of work!

Tell us a little bit about you and your art practice…

I’m a proud Gunggari woman who is currently residing on Yuggera and Turrubul land. Art helps me to express myself as I often can’t find the words to do so. Emotion is what heavily inspires my artworks. A lot of strength can be channelled and learned from emotions of pain, anger and disappointment. So much emotion can be portrayed without the need for words. My artworks are like fragmented pieces of my own emotional and mental states. A part of me hopes my creations will empower those who can see a small part of themselves reflecting back through the artworks – especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

A part of me hopes my creations will empower those who can see a small part of themselves reflecting back through the artworks – especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women

What initially drew you to street art? 

Initially it was from an early age when my brother introduced me. I thought it was the coolest thing ever! As I got older, I became more appreciative of the freedom street art represented and the opportunity it provides. Lowbrow art really flourishes in the street art scene and I love that so much. Especially political artworks. Street art is for everyone no matter what part of the world you’re from, your background, status or style. Everyone can enjoy it and be a part of it and I think that’s wonderful. 

How has your style evolved over time? 

My style has evolved a LOT over time and continues to evolve everyday. I’ve always enjoyed drawing faces, hands and the human form. Before I found my groove with digital art, I would predominantly create a lot of pen art on large pieces of paper and would use stippling for the detail. For those who might not be familiar with the term, stippling is where you create shadows and texture from thousands of small dots. 

I had been wanting to experiment with digital art since 2018 when I first started to take more notice of what it was and what people were creating. I dabbled in Photoshop and Illustrator but did not have the patience to learn the programs. Towards the end of 2019, I bought a cheap drawing trackpad and decided to finally try digital art. My first attempt was horrible! I hated it so much and soon after gave up. Fast-forward to 2020 and the pandemic hit. I felt very isolated and confused and knew I needed an outlet. So I dug out the trackpad and decided to try again. The difference was this time I didn’t give up. By late 2020 I saved up for an iPad and started using Procreate and basically haven’t looked back since. 

If I can give any advice for budding artists who stress about not finding their style it’s this: take your time, experiment, build your skill and your style will develop naturally.

Over the years I’ve also experimented with acrylic paint, water colour, pallet knife painting, abstract and impressionist styles. More recently I am starting to get the hang of painting murals from my digital illustrations. 

Even though what I’ve done in the past is varying from what I do now, every stage was crucial for me to grow my skill as an artist. It makes me excited for what my craft will look like in another year or two. 

If I can give any advice for budding artists who stress about not finding their style it’s this: take your time, experiment, build your skill and your style will develop naturally.

You’ve been focussed recently on character-based illustrations. What are you hoping to reflect through these characters? 

My artworks are mostly a result of my emotions. My characters help me communicate how I’m feeling at a certain point in time. The hope is that someone out there will also understand or connect with this feeling and see a part of themselves reflected through the artwork too. 

I’ve always been interested in how we can communicate through facial expressions, movement or posture. Understanding emotional cues without there having been anything said is something I think everyone should pay attention to. 

How does your connection to culture and Country inform your work? 

I like to incorporate culture into my artworks as naturally as it lies within my life. Always there, deep rooted and causing a constant current within. I am proud of my culture and to call myself a Gunggari woman. It’s important to me to express this through my artworks as it’s a part of me. Always has been, always will be. 

In turn expressing my culture through my art is making me stronger. I don’t let offhanded comments or obnoxious questions make me feel anxious or distressed anymore. My art has helped me learn to stand my ground and stand tall.

My art has helped me learn to stand my ground and stand tall.

Can you give us a sneak peek into what you’ll be creating at Brisbane Street Art Festival? 

I was actually terrified when I pitched my concept for Brisbane Street Art Festival as it’s a powerful piece that might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But the idea is centred around the Stolen Generations and to serve as a reminder of the pain that continues to be endured through generational trauma in some First Nations families. It seemed fitting as Reconciliation Week is shortly after Brisbane Street Art Festival. 

What are you most excited about the festival? 

As someone who also works full time, I am super excited to dedicate an entire week to just creating, being creative and being surrounded by other creatives! 

What makes the Brisbane creative scene so special?

The Brisbane creative scene has an incredible sense of community especially for First Nations artists. Everyone is so ready to support one another and hype each other up across social media platforms. I also love that more experienced artists are so happy to give guidance for those of us who are still relatively new to the scene. It all just gives me the warm and fuzzies when I think about it! 

Who are some of your favourite First Nations artists we should add to our feeds?

There are soooooo many deadly First Nations artists out there! Here’s a small list of artists people should check out on Instagram:

Charlotte // @coffinbirth

Dylan // @dylanmooney__

Tori // @tori_jyeay

Bree // @little_butten 

Kim // @k.rae.designs

Mel // @melle.ngartist 

Philly // @braincloud_

Jess // @jessicatedim.art

Rhyia // @nardurna

I wish I could add so many more! 

Brisbane Street Art Festival runs 7 through 22 May.