To prepare for his Patchewollock mural, Brisbane artist Fintan Magee booked a room at the local pub to immerse himself in the community. There, he met sheep and grain farmer Nick “Noodle” Hulland, who became his muse.

Hulland, a rugged, lanky local, epitomized the hardworking spirit of the region. His height and lean build also made him a perfect fit for the narrow, 35-meter-high canvas of the 1939-built GrainCorp silos. Magee’s 2016 depiction of Hulland shows the archetypal Aussie farmer—faded blue “flanny” shirt, solemn expression, and squinting gaze—reflecting the harshness of life in the Wimmera Mallee.

Artist: Born in Lismore, NSW, and raised in Brisbane, Fintan Magee was influenced by political art from a young age. His father, an Irish immigrant, brought Magee to Northern Ireland during his childhood, where he was inspired by bold, political murals.

Magee’s work blends surreal and figurative imagery with technical skill, addressing global themes like climate change, migration, and environmental issues, including his family’s experience with the 2011 Brisbane floods. Aiming to make art accessible, Magee brings his work to isolated communities, where art galleries may be a rare privilege.