Q&A: Phoebe Paradise

Phoebe Paradise is a visual artist and musician based in Brisbane, known for her bold illustrations, public art, and distinctive style shaped by the underground punk scene. Her work draws on the city’s suburban sprawl, blending gothic elements with sun-soaked optimism to explore local histories and memory.

She is the Director of Merivale Studios in South Brisbane and previously ran the cult label Paradise Store. Her work is held in major public collections and continues to connect with audiences near and far.

When did you realise you wanted to be an artist?

I had very much been a creative kid my whole life, but I wasn't ready to resolutely pursue a career in the arts until my early 20s. During my brief stint at RMIT Visual Arts TAFE (in my teens) I struggled to see how my life would work as a practising artist – nothing was really sticking. Later down the line, I met artist Sam McKenzie, who was making a name for himself as an illustrator and designer while playing in bands, and he introduced me to a world of local, living contemporary illustrators who balanced their commercial and personal practice in this really amazing way. I felt like I finally found a community and saw a model for how I wanted my life and practice to look!

You once mentioned in an interview, “I love to explore what the Brisbane visual identity is. What does it look like? What does it want to look like? And what does it wish it didn’t look like?” When you think of Brisbane now, what images or feelings come to mind?

Haha, yes, I love that – for me this answer always changes! Right now is easy because Winter in Brisbane is maybe the most beautiful time of year anywhere on earth. A crisp 18 degrees and blindingly clear blue skies every day for a few months – come on! I think we, collectively, have the opposite of Seasonal Affective Disorder – the city is so busy with festivals and tourists and events and beautiful people this time of year. Ask me again how I feel in November, ha!

Your designs often revisit specific Brisbane-related objects or themes. Is there one that continually inspires you, and how does it manifest in your work?

Absolutely. I am often inspired by my hometown when it comes to my work, and get drawn back to the specific architecture and strangeness of the Brisbane suburbs, and how the built environment interacts with the natural world here. I love deconstructing the classic Queenslander design and putting it back together in new contexts. Most recently I've been exploring how our natural environment battles with these homes in a series of drawings that depict Queenslander houses being swallowed by mangroves and fig tree forests.

Your Jacaranda Season design which we feature on totes, t-shirts, and drink coolers at MoB Shop is gorgeous. Can you walk us through your creative process for this piece?

Thank you so much! I am very honoured to be featured in your gorgeous shop! This design was actually conceived way back in 2020 during the development of my work 'Subtropical Surreal', which was acquired by the Brisbane City Council! We animated a very fun and playful tableau of an old Mitsubishi Magna being enveloped by falling Jacaranda flowers. My old high school had a tree-lined stretch of Jacarandas, which would always leave a blanket of flowers along the parked cars and walkway, and the image elicited such a nostalgic feeling of home and childhood for me. I had always wanted to revisit this scene, and last year I reworked it into a printable digital artwork on Procreate.