Pop Up Portraiture with Celeste Mountjoy aka Filthyratbag

Join Celeste Mountjoy, the creator of FILTHYRATBAG, for a special Portrait Illustration Pop-Up and Print Shop!

Celebrated Australian visual artist and author Celeste Mountjoy is travelling to the Fish Lane Arts Precinct in May - June 2024 for an exclusive residency and workshop tour at Merivale Studios. Before embarking on her next creative chapter in the United States, Mountjoy will be activating the precinct with special creative workshops, public art activations and pop-ups.

From 10 - 4pm, you can commission Celeste for an original illustrated and signed portrait of yourself or a loved one. Sit down portraits estimated between 15 - 20 minutes. It's first in, first served - so don't miss out!

While you wait, come peruse the Filthyratbag print shop - with signed edition prints and merch available to buy. 

About the Artist

Celeste Mountjoy, also known as FILTHYRATBAG, is a Melbourne-based artist, author, and cultural provocateur. Her captivating work delves fearlessly into the depths of the human experience, exploring themes such as anxiety, feminism, addiction, body image, relationships, grief, and the relentless pressures of societal expectations. With a unique blend of rawness and vulnerability, Celeste's art serves as a powerful reflection of our shared struggles and challenges, providing a much-needed counterpoint to the curated ideals often perpetuated on social media platforms.

Through her artistic creations, Celeste exhibits an uncanny precision in capturing the otherwise unspoken and unshown aspects of our lives. She fearlessly confronts the dark, unfiltered emotions that permeate our existence, unveiling the truth and authenticity hidden beneath the surface. By doing so, she offers a profound antidote to the veneer of perfectionism and superficiality prevalent in today's image-driven society.

Celeste's writing and artwork has garnered widespread acclaim and international recognition. Her creations have been featured in renowned publications such as The New York Times. Additionally, she has been invited to share her unique perspective on esteemed platforms such as ABC and BBC, where she eloquently articulates the unfiltered realities of modern life. She is also a prolific mural painter and has worked on a range of small and large scale public artist projects from 2016 onward. Her smash hit debut graphic novel and memoir 'What The Fuck Is This', was published by Pan Macmillan Australia and Penguin Random House in 2023. 

Celeste has emerged as a compelling voice for a new generation of women who refuse to conform to societal norms and expectations. Her unapologetic expression of outrage, uncertainty, and absurdity resonates deeply with individuals navigating the tumultuous journey of adulthood. Through her work, she empowers women to break free from the confines of societal roles, encouraging them to embrace their true selves and reject the notion of polite conformity.

All ages
Free to the public 

Parking: Street parking, or Queensland Theatre parking (5 min walk)

Please email hello@merivalestudios.com.au for enquiries.

Merivale Studios is proudly supported by Explore Fish Lane, Prolab Studios & Jubilee Framers.