Fintan Magee: From Marrickville Streets to Global Murals

How the Australian street artist Fintan Magee turned teenage graffiti into internationally commissioned public art

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For Fintan Magee, painting was never a sudden career decision. It developed naturally from an early love of creativity.

“I started out as a graffiti writer when I was about 13 or 14,” Magee says. “I’ve been painting ever since.” Raised in a creative household, he was, admittedly, fortunate to be encouraged very early on. His father worked as a sculptor and his mother as a landscape architect, so making and designing were part of daily life. That environment gave him the confidence to pursue art seriously, even in the early days of graffiti.

Over time, spray cans on suburban walls evolved into large public murals, gallery exhibitions, and international projects. While his work has grown in size and ambition, Magee says his approach has remained consistent. He focuses on capturing everyday life and human faces, turning ordinary moments into striking visual experiences.

Inspiration

When asked what inspires him, he admits it can be hard to explain.

“It’s usually people I meet. I try to absorb as much of the world around me as possible and just paint what I see,” he says. “I know that’s a boring answer that most artists give, but it’s kind of all I’ve got.”

His response is deceptively simple as he’s able to capture the essence of his subjects at scale as though he was working on an easel at home, quite the logistical task.

“It’s always different,” Magee says of choosing subjects. “Often I just paint my friends and people close to me.”

The faces that appear in his work often belong to people he knows personally, capturing a wonderful dichotomy of intimacy and public life. That personal connection is part of what makes his work feel approachable, even when it’s displayed on a large public wall.

Significant works

One of his most significant local works was created for Marrickville Metro. The mural highlights women’s roles in the arts and industry, a theme chosen specifically for the site. The building is on a former textile manufacturing plant that employed a lot of women; it was a hub for female participation in the union movement, which led to Newtown having the first female Mayor in Australia, Lilian Fowler.

“I found that history really interesting,” Magee says. “I wanted to explore how that connected to creative industries in a modern context.”

By linking the area’s industrial past with its contemporary arts scene, the mural recognises the women who helped shape the community while reflecting its ongoing creative spirit. The mural combines historical awareness with a modern celebration of local creativity, making it a work that resonates with both residents and visitors.

Taking art global

Travel has become an important aspect of Magee’s career. While exhibitions are important, he says the opportunity to work in new environments stands out most.

One highlight was travelling to Iran to work on a major project for the Australian embassy alongside muralist Guido Van Helten. The project was a large-scale mural commissioned by the embassy. The collaboration allowed both artists to contribute to a high-profile international project and experience working in a very different cultural context.

“That was exciting,” he says. “I’ve been lucky to travel a lot for my work. It’s rewarding when you visit somewhere new.”

Future

Looking ahead, Magee is preparing for a show at Backwoods Gallery in Melbourne later this year. He also has several mural projects lined up, including his first time working in Romania and additional locations across Europe. These opportunities allow him to continue expanding his work.

From graffiti writer to globally recognised muralist, Fintan Magee’s career has unfolded steadily, shaped by curiosity, community, and a commitment to capturing the world around him.