Lushsux is an anonymous Australianstreet artist whose works have received international coverage. Based inMelbourne, he is best known for his large murals that draw oninternet memeculture, as well aspopular culture more broadly. He has been called "the prototypical post-Internet artist"[1] and "Australia's answer toBanksy".[2]
Lushsux stated that he grew up in a working-class family in the western suburbs ofMelbourne, and worked in a factory before becoming a full-time artist. Since his first gallery show inCollingwood in 2010, Lushsux has been supported by Sarah Powell and Andrew King, patrons of theMelbourne street art scene.[3]
Lushsux has been sellingNFTs of his artworks since 2021.[4] His art has been auctioned in various platforms, includingNifty Gateway,SuperRare andMakersPlace. His art was exhibited at "DART2121" inMilan[5] and atArt Basel 2021 inMiami, in collaboration with auction houseChristie's.[6]
In August 2016, he created a mural inFootscray of a skimpily-dressedHillary Clinton. After the local council received complaints from members of the public, Lushsux painted aburqa over Clinton.[7]
Special criticism has been made of Lushsux's interventions in theWest Bank separation barrier inBethlehem.[8][9] His art in the wall has been criticized for trying to make fun of a serious issue, spreading manymeme-like images and humorous scenes over the separation wall.[10] In one controversial scene, he uses aNelson Mandela quote in a mural depicting actorMorgan Freeman, which has been considered to potentially express the racist stereotype that Black people supposedly look the same.[11] His painting of Donald Trump andBenjamin Netanyahu kissing has been accused of trying to usehomophobic humor, while his representations of Jewish stereotypes have been consideredantisemitic.[11]
In September 2018 he angered50 Cent with a mural of him.[12] In October 2018 he parodiedKanye West andDonald Trump's friendship by creating the character "Donye West". In March 2019 he parodiedAnderson "The Spider" Silva showing him dressed asSpider-Man.[13]
In 2020, he started painting murals of50 Cent again, creating multiplemashups that "reimagine" the rapper as another public figure, includingMike Tyson ("50 Thent"),Mike Pence ("50 Pence") andTaylor Swift ("Swifty Cent").[14] 50 Cent reposted many of the murals on his social media, expressing both admiration for the artist's skill, but also anger over being consistently targeted by him. In May 2020, Lushsux stated that he was hospitalised after being attacked by a group of men while painting another 50 Cent mural.[15]
