Widely celebrated for his bold and bright artistic collaborations, Gadigal street artist JESWRI (Jesse Wright) gained the attention of both media and press thanks to his collaboration with Red Bull Racing and the Australian Grand Prix last month.
Represented by First Nations-led illustration agency supported by The Jacky Winter Group, Solid Lines, JESWRI teamed up with Red Bull for their Red Bull Racing Fan Zone pop-up - created ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
The pop-up saw Red Bull Racing drivers, Max Verstappen (4x F1 world champion) and Liam Lawson, celebrate the launch of the team's season with an interactive fan experience on Birrarung Marr in Naarm, featuring live art, DJs, screenings, Q&A sessions with former driver and now commentator, David Coulthard, and an up-close view of the iconic Formula 1 Oracle Red Bull Racing car.
JESWRI took part in the pop-up, creating and supplying a custom piece of his work. For the custom art, the street artist infused the spirit of Naarm's iconic laneways into the Fan Zone. As JESWRI completed his artwork, both Max and Liam contributed their signatures, transforming it into a unique piece of memorabilia.
When speaking on the opportunity, and how he blended his culture into the contemporary influence of F1, JESWRI said he has always wanted to work with Red Bull so it was somewhat of a dream come true, and a natural artistic progression.
"So, it all moved so fast that I was allowed to be very integral in my application to this canvas. My style is rooted in graffiti, so painting under pressure is something I've been comfortable with since I was a teenager; which is when I drank the most Red Bull," he said.
"I took inspiration from their helmets, looking at them rapidly over a coupla cans of taurine. Fusing them into one, bringing in the brand colours. Max Verstappen was pushing me for a pink helmet, but he wouldn't let me play Batman to his Robin, maybe next time if he lets me ride shotgun I'll run some more pink.
"Still pinching myself. I've always wanted to work with Red Bull. I actually manifested it six weeks prior saying I wanted it to happen this year. 100% would love to work with them again. It's such a big brand - I'm confident there's room in that blue 'n silver taurine brand for a boy like me. We have so much in common, I'm excited to see what the future holds. Never know, " he said.
When it came to the artworks creation and creative process, JESWRI shared that he painted the piece within the space of a weekend.
"Being a street artist with a graffiti background, working fast comes natural to me. I layered this canvas with paint, putting Jackson Pollock to shame, throwing palettes of paint at the artwork to give the same feeling of a wall on the street. I'm not a 'traditional' gallery artist by trade, no textures ever perfect; so I lean into what makes my clients feel like they're working with an authentic street artist," JESWRI told Style Up.
"I leaned into the very, very quick turnaround on this piece and painted it within the space of a weekend and brought the rest in for some live art on the Birrarung / Yarra before the drivers signed it. Pretty good to see this artwork raised $10k for charity."
With this collaboration marking just one of the many sporting collaborations in which JESWRI has engaged, the talented artist says this is definitely an area in which he finds great comfort and artistic expression.
"I've worked with the Sydney Swans Football Team a few times before, that's been really fun. The team is a good bunch. Painted a footy and mural for their 150-year anniversary. I've also worked with Parramatta Eels Rugby Team for a mural in West Sydney a few years back, and for the last few years Penrith Panthers Rugby Team to celebrate their championship rings," he said.
"A few years ago, I was named in the 'top five wrestling shirt designers in the world', from there I started making friends with wrestlers in the industry like legends like Ric Flair, Switchblade & Robbie Eagles. Over the last few years, I've been working exclusively with WWE Star Bronson Reed to design all his ring gear which has made it into video games and action figures.
"That's where I get excited. I'd like to continue to do things in sports, one of my bucket list items was to design a jersey and be a guest on 'The Footy Show' with Fatty and Sterlo."
Excited to share, yet conscious to not give to much away, JESWRI shared he has much going on in 2025, listing that he is working with Wingstop for a new mural, working with Triple J for an office mural in addition to having entered the 2025 Archibald Prize with a painting of the hip hop artist Nooky of the First Nations hip hop group, 3%.
With many projects in the works and currently undertaking a PhD of Art, the multi-talented creative is set to have an extremely busy year filled with endless opportunities.
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