A Bli-Bli artist whose murals are splashed throughout the region is being recognised for her contribution to community and advocacy for protecting the environment.
Claire Matthews, affectionately known in the art world as ‘Fuzeillear’, has been painting across the Sunshine Coast for nine years.
Among her best-known works is Moustache Man on Ocean Street in Maroochydore.
Arriving from the United Kingdom 13 years ago, she uses local flora and fauna as inspiration for her murals.
Fuzeillear hopes her murals connect with the local community.
Each one she completes is threaded with a theme of igniting conversations on protecting the environment.
“I paint public murals that highlight and champion our native wildlife species and the challenges they face,” she says.
“Life can be stressful, busy and complicated but I aim to create public art that allows passers-by to stop, take a breath and, even just for a moment, drift away.
“My hope is always to leave something that will make a difference – whether that be to remind people of the fragile beauty of the world around us or just to make someone feel a little bit brighter and a little less alone.”
Working with watered washes and brushes, Fuzeillear uses shadowy textures and strong highlights to bring a sense of depth and space to each piece.
Her latest success includes taking out the inaugural Fuel Your Passion contest, nudging out an impressive cast of Sunshine Coast artists and creatives.
An initiative of the Eumundi Brewery, the competition was a chance to support the many artists and innovators on the Coast after a challenging two years for the creative sector. From 350 entrants, the final eight were put to a public vote, with drawing artist Dan Hannay and musician and multicultural teacher Samuela Taukave – known as Skillz FJ – announced as runners-up.
As the Fuel Your Passion winner, Fuzeillear receives $10,000 towards her creative work from the Brewery’s community fund.
“Far out, do I love the Sunshine Coast,” she says.
“I count myself incredibly blessed to be here and to have been able to contribute to this beautiful community by painting so many murals across the Coast.
“Winning the comp means I can now paint bigger and better walls and spread the message further.”
Fuzeillear’s murals can be found in Maroochydore, Eumundi, Landsborough, Caloundra, Kawana, Maroochydore, Buderim, Nambour and Noosa.
Further afield, her works are in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and London.
Visit: fuzeillear.com
