The ultimate guide to Flash Forward

Flash Forward is the epic new creative program taking over 40 city laneways with music, murals and more from the best local talent. Check out these stunning new artworks the next time you visit the city.

Drewery Alley

Inspired by visions of a mystical shrine, artist Jaz Mishap has created a towering mural at the end of this narrow lane. The floating apparition is painted in Mishap’s signature colourful, vibrant style. Gaze up to see the figure drawing down its mask, revealing a face split down the middle.

Stevenson Lane

Find beauty among the bins when you visit Stevenson Lane after dark. Here you'll see Jarra Karalinar Steel's floating sea of neon possums lighting up the alley. Keep an eye out for humorous hidden prints by artist Olana Janfa, also in Stevenson Lane.

Highlander Lane

This immersive, towering mural can be found in a little laneway nook off Highlander Lane. Tessellated stripes of blue, pink and black create an almost moving pattern of colours and shapes. The piece was created by new media artist Nick Azidis, who specialises in large-scale artworks that play with the viewer's perception of their surroundings.

Wills Street

A giant crumped paint can now towers over this quiet city street. Created by visual artist LING, the sculpture is a response to clients commissioning graffiti-inspired artworks without really understanding or respecting the community it comes from.

Meyers Place

Head to Meyers Place after dark to uncover Aretha Brown's self-described 'comic book' style depiction of colonialism in Australia. Each panel tells a different part of the story, from life in pre-Cook Australia to the artists' present-day experience as an Aboriginal person. Scroll through the panels online for Brown's own explanation of each image.

Langs Lane

The city's West end is a street art spotters dream, with endless works hidden in many unlikely places. The latest is Shawn Lu's sprawling ecosystem splashed across Langs Lane. The 'Still, Life!' landscape is an earthy toned scene of twisted trees, bikes and automobiles.

Rose Lane

One of the most recent works you’ll find hidden around town comes from artist Bundit Puangthong. The beautiful mural is a weaving work of interconnected dragons, fiery motifs and colourful plants. Find the finished work at 602 Little Bourke Street.

Rainbow Alley

You've probably been down this little lane on your way to Cabinet Bar. Now a bright and colourful mural by visual artist Gonketa lights the way. Completed partially in lockdown, the pattern of hand shapes is based on Australian Sign Language.

Royal Arcade 

Uncover an intricate illustrated piece by artist Gosia Wlodarczak in Royal Arcade. Created onsite over 21 days, the sprawling work spans the glass facade, walls and floors of shops 8-10 in Royal Arcade.

Lees Place 

Plastered on the side of the Elephant and Wheelbarrow, you’ll find a series of characters painted by FIKARIS. Each figure strikes a pose in connection with a different title. Scan the wall for The Socialist, The Tireless, The Genuine and more. Look familiar? Every character is based on a real person, posing at work during the pandemic.

Finlay Alley

Which other city can boast an 18-metre tall artwork dedicated to the lead singer of a Simpsons-themed doom metal band? Process that info as you find your way to Finlay Alley, where LING's mega mural lies in wait. And yes, that’s a Stonecutters inspired look you see.

More murals

Round out your laneway journey and spot more completed murals in Kirks Lane, Bourke Place, Evans Lane, Hughs Alley and Whitehart Lane. Stay tuned to the Flash Foward socials for more upcoming works.

Flash Forward Pop-Up Store

Shopping for the person who has just about everything? Drop into the Flash Forward Pop-Up Store for one-off artworks by Melbourne creatives. Plus exclusive vinyl pressings by local musos. These truly unique gifts are on sale as part of the city’s Flash Forward artist showcase.

Live music and secret gigs - back soon

The best way to christen a new piece of street art? With an unmissable performance by some of Melbourne's top local talent. Catch DJ sets, techno parties, synth punk and more across the Flash Forward laneways. Gigs are very hush hush - some will be pre-promoted, some you'll just need to be in the right place at the right time. Sign up to the Flash Forward newsletter and follow their socials for more info.