The magnificent mural depicting a giant bat with richly textured wings and dreamlike imagery is most assuredly Release the Bats, a work by the accomplished Australian artist Hayden Dewar. Completed in August 2023 under the commission of the Port Phillip Council, the mural adorns the wall at 6 Belford Street in St Kilda, Melbourne. Dewar, known for his vivid visual storytelling and imaginative use of colour and form, has here rendered a surreal grey-headed flying fox soaring through a vibrant landscape interwoven with motifs drawn from the local environment—native flora, references to Luna Park, the surrounding live music culture, and the coastal charm of St Kilda.
Joel and I had come to the area that day for an Italian luncheon and, by happy fortune, managed to secure a rare parking space nearby. The artwork, set against the bright tones of the streetscape, provided an unexpected and captivating visual delight—its fantastical scale and layered symbolism leaving a lasting impression.
Sony A7RV
FE 20-70mm f4 G
Linking Mural Monday
