Mike Maka or Makatron (born 1979) is a well known Australian street artist and painter easily recognised by his large scale murals inspired by mechanical machinery, flora and fauna.  Maka uses a mix of aerosol and acrylic water-based paints, whilst working with a variety of media; mainly on walls, canvas and illustrations on paper. His artwork has been described as capturing a world where nature fights back against humanity, reclaiming it from the friction point between man, beast and machine.

• Maka was raised in Adelaide as the second eldest of six children. He studied art at Marryatville High School in Adelaide, followed by studies in illustration. Maka won an art scholarship and moved to New York, studying fine art at the Adelphi University. He worked and lived in New York for five years as a bike courier before travelling and working in London, Toronto and Sydney as a courier, using these opportunities to find and leave his mark on many city walls.

By the age of 25, Maka moved to Melbourne and studied graphic design. By 2006 he became a full time artist and active studio member of the Everfresh ‘crew’ in Collingwood; working with other artists, print makers, photographers and illustrators. He has exhibited extensively throughout Australia as well as group shows in Brazil, Japan, Miami and New York; and has works in private and public collections including the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, the National Gallery of Victoria and MONA in Tasmania.

• A recent commission included painting a wine label for a bottle of Shiraz for South Australia’s Longview Vineyard situated in the Adelaide hills; which was presented in a canister that resembled a spray can.

Find out more about Mike Makatron’s art on his website or Instagram account @mike_maka