In short:
A retrofuturist mural titled Retro Future Feline has been unveiled on a building facing Baggot Drive in Hoppers Crossing, featuring local landmarks and community themes drawn from workshops with Wyndham youth group Paradox Amplify Crew. The work was delivered under Wyndham’s Public Art Plan 2022–32 and provided a mentorship opportunity for emerging local artist Justin Enrico Legaspi.
Wyndham Advertiser
Art meets retrofuturism
A new public artwork has been unveiled on the exterior of 2 Sharp Street, Hoppers Crossing, with a mural titled Retro Future Feline now featured on the building facing Baggot Drive.
The project is led by Melbourne-based artist Mike Maka, with painting carried out by Maka and Tayla Broekman. Wyndham-based emerging artist Justin Enrico Legaspi also contributed to the work through a mentorship arrangement.
The mural’s concept draws on themes explored during two community engagement workshops that Maka facilitated with the Paradox Amplify Crew — a Wyndham program supporting young people aged 12 to 25 who plan and deliver live music and cultural events for their communities. Sessions focused on futurism and retrofuturism, prompting participants to reflect on imagination, fear and hope in relation to the future.
“The ideal future as perceived by the group included themes of sustainability, locally grown food sources, free renewable energy, and a positive future to be welcomed. The cat character is an avatar for one’s personal journey in this retro-themed future. The rubber ducks are an homage to recent events organised by Paradox Amplify Crew. There are some local references to the Werribee Yulluk (River), the local Tigers football club, the Werribee Blue Box eucalyptus trees, and the dog and bird statue on Watton Street,” Maka said.
For Legaspi, the project offered a first-hand look at the realities of working as a professional public artist. He attended introductory sessions on public art practice led by Maka, visited studios, and assisted with on-site painting throughout the mural’s delivery.
“The mural mentorship was a really fun and informative experience. I got to visit Maka’s studio and some other artists’ spaces, which gave me a better idea of what it’s like to be a full-time artist. He shared a lot about the economics of it and gave helpful advice on working with clients. I also got to talk to curators and muralists and learn more about their different practices and the local mural arts scene,” Legaspi said.
“During the mural installation, Maka and Tayla taught me how to work at a large scale, including wall design transfer, and using roller and spray paint. They also taught me the safety documents needed before starting. Overall, I learned a lot and am really happy I got to be part of it!”
The Sharp Street site was first flagged as a public art opportunity earlier this year, when Wyndham City Council called for expressions of interest from local artists to collaborate with young people on a design for the wall. Retro Future Feline is the result of that process.
It is not the first time Hoppers Crossing’s youth services precinct has been transformed by public art. The ‘Moments of Bloom’ mural at Youth Services Hoppers Crossing similarly drew on themes of diversity, creativity and community connection among young Wyndham residents.
The work adds to a growing body of public art across the municipality. Wyndham’s street art scene has expanded significantly in recent years, with a self-guided tour of Werribee’s street art offering residents and visitors a closer look at the area’s creative landscape.
The mural was delivered as part of Wyndham’s Public Art Plan 2022–32, in collaboration with Wyndham City’s Placemaking and Activation and Youth Services teams.
