‘Art can say so much so quickly, sneaking behind people’s defences,’ says Aussie poster artist Peter Drew

Adelaide-based street artist Peter Drew challenges divisive attitudes through his work, sparking conversations about what it truly means to be 'Aussie.' His posters have been praised by some and critiqued by others, yet Peter continues to use his thought-provoking art to question national identity.

Peter Drew responded to his posters being torn down in an anti-migration protest, with a thought-provoking piece of art. Credit: Peter Drew

Key Points

• Adelaide-based street artist Peter Drew shares how a browse through the National Archives of Australia inspired his iconic 'Aussie' poster series.
• Despite online hate, torn posters, and even police fines, Peter stays motivated using criticism as fuel to keep creating.

In 2016, street artist Peter Drew created a poster featuring a Muslim cameleer Monga Khan’s archival image, as an artistic critique at a time when racial tensions were high.

"At that time in 2016, there were marches on the street that were anti-Islamic migration," Peter told SBS Punjabi.

I wanted to find a Muslim that was part of our history and looked heroic.

Peter Drew

Peter put up hundreds of posters featuring racially and ethnically diverse individuals from the late 1800s, and while his work received a lot of love, he attracted hate online and on the street.

“That’s part of my job. I want to reach people who like the posters but also want to reach people who are made uncomfortable with my art,” he shared.

Some of Peter’s posters were torn down during recent protests. He responded to it with another thought-provoking poster, which featured three men tearing down the poster of Monga Khan.

Peter Drew's art being torn down in a recent protest. Credit: Aiden Manning

It simply puts the question back to the three men and people who agree with them and asks, are you being Aussie or is this something motivated by your own weakness?

Peter Drew

Peter’s art has drawn attention, admiration and anger in equal measure. He also got police fines and arrests.

Yet he continues.

What keeps him motivated, and how does he handle the hate? Tune into this podcast for the full conversation.

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