When Pop Meets Paint: Duncan’s Ipswich Mural for Ed Sheeran

Sometimes public art doesn’t just colour a wall – it creates a cultural moment.
In the heart of Ipswich, Queensland, mural artist Duncan has turned a plain façade into a vibrant tribute to global superstar Ed Sheeran, transforming an 11.5-metre wall into one of Australia’s most talked-about murals.

Commissioned through Book An Artist in collaboration with Warner Music, this high-profile piece brings together creativity, music, and community — all splashed across a bold pink backdrop.

The Artist Behind the Vision

Duncan is an accomplished muralist known for his painterly realism and precision with colour. His works often combine fine-art sensitivity with large-scale execution — a balance that has earned him commissions from both private clients and major brands.

“It was a privilege to be asked to create such a high-profile mural — a project I wouldn’t have had access to without the support and representation of Book An Artist,” Duncan says.

Working solo meant long hours and full responsibility for every brushstroke. But it’s exactly that independence — and drive for quality — that defines his approach.

“When you take on a project like this, you carry everything — the process, the pressure, and the final impression. That’s part of the challenge I love.”

The Brief: Bringing Album Art to Life

The mural’s design took inspiration from Ed Sheeran’s latest album artwork, supplied by Warner Music. The concept was simple yet striking — keep the PLAY branding aesthetic but make it local. Duncan replaced the original word with “IPSWICH”, rendered in the same bold white font against the instantly recognisable pink background.

“It had to stay true to the album’s design while feeling like it belonged to Ipswich,” Duncan explains. “The goal was to make it feel like a celebration, not a campaign.”

For Ed’s portrait, Duncan chose a slightly more painterly style – expressive, layered, and textured – rather than strict photorealism. This choice wasn’t just practical under time constraints; it was also a respectful nod to Ed’s own love of painting and experimentation with abstract art.

The Process: Six Days, One Wall, and a Lot of Sun

Time was tight. The project was scheduled for completion in just six days, with no extension possible due to a hotel event that would take place directly in front of the wall.

Start date: Saturday 20 September, 7:00 am
Finish: Friday 26 September, 5:30 pm

The wall measured 11.5 metres wide by 4 metres high, demanding both endurance and precision. Duncan worked through light rain on day one, and then through blistering morning sun for the rest of the week.

“From 7:00 to 11:30 each morning, the paint would dry almost instantly. I was spraying the wall and even my mixing surface to stop the paint setting before I could use it.”

Technique and Materials

The mural was entirely hand-painted using Resene acrylic paints. Duncan prepped the wall meticulously – cleaning, priming, and layering two full coats of pink to achieve a vibrant, even base.

He then allowed subtle patches of the original dark wall tone to show through, adding natural texture and depth.

“It’s like painting on a toned canvas,” he says. “You get contrast and warmth without overworking it.”

Using a mix of rollers, brushes, and tape, Duncan balanced painterly texture with sharp graphic edges – all while working from ladders and scaffolds to reach the wall’s upper sections.

Public Art That Sparks Conversation

Once completed, the mural quickly became a local talking point. Locals stopped for photos, tagged it on social media, and debated its meaning and origins – exactly the kind of engagement Duncan hoped for.

“The reaction was mixed but engaging – which is exactly what public art should be,” he says. “Some people loved it, others questioned it, but everyone noticed it.”

Funded by Warner Music, the piece also prompted conversation about how art connects cities across cultures — from Ed’s hometown of Ipswich in the UK to this sunny corner of Queensland.

One online commenter even joked that the portrait looked like “Gordon Ramsay on holiday” – a comparison Duncan still laughs about.

“It’s all part of the fun,” he grins. “If art makes people talk, it’s done its job.”

Partnership and Possibility

Behind every great mural is a team that believes in making it happen. Through Book An Artist, Duncan was able to connect with Warner Music for a commission of this scale – a collaboration that balanced artistic freedom with professional support.

“Book An Artist made the process seamless,” Duncan says. “They handled the admin, communication, and approvals, so I could focus on the painting itself.”

The partnership highlights the platform’s growing role in connecting brands, councils, and artists – helping public art projects find the right creative match.

A Wall, A Song, A City

Duncan’s Ipswich mural is more than a striking portrait – it’s a conversation piece, a community landmark, and a testament to how art and music intersect in public space.

It captures the joy and creative spirit of Ed Sheeran’s world while rooting it in Ipswich’s own story – one of resilience, warmth, and shared identity.

“Projects like this remind me why I do what I do,” Duncan reflects. “It’s not just paint on a wall – it’s connection.”