Matt Adnate

Born in Montrose, Victoria, in 1984, Matt Adnate grew up surrounded by urban street culture — graffiti, skateboarding, music, and fashion all shaped his early creative style. After finishing school, he adopted the name Adnate, inspired by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri, marking the beginning of a lifelong artistic journey.

His first major opportunity came when a real estate agency in North Melbourne commissioned him to paint a mural. That early project led to further commissions along Carlton’s Lygon Street, where he created Tuscan landscapes and striking Italian-inspired imagery.

In 2007, Adnate moved to Barcelona, Spain, where he immersed himself in the city’s thriving street art community. Later, as part of Melbourne’s renowned AWOL Crew, he began producing large-scale murals that fused realism, portraiture, and abstraction. He even painted the tallest mural in the Southern Hemisphere on the Collingwood Housing Estate! His reputation soon grew beyond Australia, with murals appearing in countries such as Germany, India, South Africa, and the United States. In 2024, he won the 2024 Archibald Packing Room Prize for his portrait of rapper Baker Boy.

Adnate’s largest mural in the Southern Hemisphere

Adnate’s signature works often celebrate cultural identity and resilience. He is widely known for collaborating with First Nations communities, always engaging with Elders and local artists to ensure stories are represented with authenticity and respect.

Adnate has visited Toowoomba multiple times, creating two highly popular murals – one at Grand Central and another on the Youth Justice Building – both of which have become much-loved landmarks in the city’s public art landscape.

Today, Adnate’s work can be seen in cities across the world, from London and Paris to Berlin and New York, each piece continuing his mission to connect people through art and culture.