JESWRI
{{Short description|Gadigal street artist and muralist}}
JESWRI (pronounced jess-rye; born 1990) is the professional name of Jesse Wright, a contemporary Australian artist of Gadigal heritage from the Eora Nation. Based in Melbourne, he is known for large-scale murals, street art, and collaborations with major commercial and cultural institutions. His multidisciplinary work explores themes of Indigenous Australian art, graffiti culture, and mental health.
Early life and background
Jesse Wright was born in Sydney, New South Wales, and is a proud Gadigal man of the Eora Nation. Raised in the inner-city suburbs of Gadi (Sydney), Wright attributes his early creative influence to his mother, who was an artist and art teacher. He began painting graffiti as a teenager and later worked as a commercial art director in the advertising industry before shifting to full-time visual art in 2017.[https://campaignbrief.com/campaign-brief-qa-with-gadigal-street-artist-former-ad-creative-jeswri-i-feel-like-my-time-in-adland-only-poured-petrol-in-my-artistic-drive/ "Campaign Brief Q&A with JESWRI"]
Artistic practice
JESWRI works across mural painting, illustration, digital art, and creative direction. His visual style is characterized by vibrant color palettes, bold lines, layered symbolism, and a fusion of graffiti, retrofuturism, and Aboriginal storytelling. His work often reflects on topics such as cultural identity, resistance, environmental awareness, and speculative histories.[https://artedit.com.au/artist-profile-jeswri/ "Artist Profile: JESWRI" – Art Edit Magazine]
In addition to his individual practice, JESWRI co-founded Honey Bones Gallery in Brunswick, Victoria, a contemporary art space aimed at supporting emerging artists and fostering community engagement.[https://solidlines.agency/artists/jeswri/ "JESWRI at Solid Lines Agency"]
Notable projects and collaborations
- In 2025, JESWRI collaborated with Red Bull Racing to produce a live artwork for their Australian Grand Prix fan zone in Melbourne. The work was signed by drivers Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson and auctioned for charity.[https://nit.com.au/08-04-2025/17167/red-bull-racing-teams-up-with-gadigal-street-artist-jeswri-for-fan-zone-pop-up "Red Bull Racing teams up with Gadigal street artist JESWRI" – National Indigenous Times]
- During the 2025 Australian Open, he painted a community basketball court titled HOOPS by JESWRI as part of a broader effort to spotlight Indigenous artists and sports culture.[https://nit.com.au/27-01-2025/15877/first-nations-artist-jesse-wright-collaborates-with-the-australian-open "JESWRI collaborates with the Australian Open" – NIT]
- In 2025, he was named a finalist for the Archibald Prize for his portrait of rapper and activist Corey Webster, known as Nooky.[https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/2025/30797/ "JESWRI – Archibald Prize Finalist"]
- JESWRI has collaborated with several major brands, including Apple, Netflix, Converse, Adidas, TikTok, and PlayStation, contributing visual art, murals, and digital content to commercial campaigns while maintaining cultural integrity.[https://jeswri.com/about "About JESWRI" – Official Website]
Exhibitions and public art
- JESWRI participated in the 2023 edition of Melbourne Now at the National Gallery of Victoria, contributing to a landmark exhibition of contemporary Melbourne-based artists.[https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/melbourne-now/artists/jeswri/ "Melbourne Now: JESWRI" – NGV]
- He was commissioned to design and paint a mural at the South Melbourne Market, celebrating the heritage of the South Melbourne Swans football club, incorporating historic imagery and community identity.[https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au "City of Port Phillip Public Art Projects"]
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://jeswri.com Official website]
- [https://www.instagram.com/jeswri/ JESWRI on Instagram]
Category:Indigenous Australian artists
Category:Australian street artists