Inspired by archival photographs and her time spent in Hervey Bay, artist Phoebe Paradise created this surreal reimagining of a sleepy coastal town overrun by enormous egrets. A local man nonchalantly looks on from his garden chair as the birds reclaim the suburbs, venturing to the streets from their usual wetland, mangrove and mudflat habitats.

For this mural Phoebe was assisted by two local artists, Halle Bryant and Matthew Graveson, who undertook a mentorship with the Brisbane-based artist. The mural forms part of Phoebe’s exhibition at Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, ‘Burbs to the Bay, 21 September–17 November 2024.

The project is proudly supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the Queensland Government and Fraser Coast Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.