The Terralong Street underbridge has undergone a vibrant transformation courtesy of the artistic stylings of acclaimed Melbourne muralist Jimmy Dvate.

During his two week stay in Kiama, the visionary completed two ornate and colourful pieces, the second of which can be found on the wall beside Diggies Café.

Since he began street art in 1999, Dvante’s brushstrokes have been responsible for hundreds of eye-catching artworks, bringing his detailed depictions of Australian nature and rural wildlife to silos, water tanks, and walls across the country.

To inform his work, Dvate undertakes environmental research, and often collaborates with conservation groups and local photographers. He says that this is almost as fun and rewarding as creating the painting itself.

“I really enjoy delving into the local area and finding out what's unique to that area, and trying to highlight stuff that people might not know about,” Dvate told The Bugle. 

“It means I get to see places that I've never been before, and different environments and different types of habitats. And it drives viewers to those locations, which is really great for communities.”

For Kiama, Dvate chose to illustrate an Eastern Ground Parrot (photographed at Butteroo National Park by Ellie Summerhayes), an Eastern Bristlebird (photographed at Barren Grounds Nature Reserve by Brett Mezen), and an Illawarra Zieria plant, all of which are endangered species found in the area. The second mural is of a Variegated Fairy Wren.

Plenty of behind-the-scenes work goes into Dvate’s designs before he even shakes the paint can. He sometimes spends days trying to source the materials and reference imagery that best aligns with the canvas’ composition and the environment's surroundings. He presented the Kiama Municipal Council with a number of options, working with them closely to conclude which one best conveys a local connection.

“It's a bit different than painting in a studio, where you're just painting exactly what you want. It's working with the community to come up with something that's going to work for everyone,” Dvate said.

“I feel it's my duty to come up with something that's appropriate and that has some connection to the local area. I paint this mural, and then I leave. But everyone else lives there, they see that mural every day.”

Dvate says he is thankful for the positive interactions and overwhelming support from the Kiama community, and is likely to return in the near future.

In the meantime, he is looking forward to painting more murals on private water tanks, and an upcoming project with the Victoria Fisheries Authority.