Recently, Melbourne’s unequivocal mother of creativity Mirka Mora passed away at the monumental age of 90. She has tirelessly graced the streets of Melbourne with telling artworks bursting with colour and soul since her arrival from France in the 50s. Born in Paris to a Romanian Jewish mother, Celia Gelbein, and a Lithuanian Jewish father, Leon Zelik Mirka, with whom she spent the duration of the Second World War hiding in a forest in France with. Despite experiencing war and hatred at such a young age, she defied all odds going on to fill her works and others’ lives with such an intense display of love. No small feat. Creating art so boldly in a time when few women did, Mirka has always been an inspiration for young artists.

Having survived the horrors of the holocaust, Mirka migrated to Australia and quickly became a prominent figure in Melbourne’s artistic landscape. Painting has been the central medium throughout her career, however she has also created brilliant sculptures, mosaics and hand painted dolls. From owning well known cafes which doubled as artist hubs to creating mosaic murals scattered across the city and collaborations with Australian fashion brand Gorman, Mirka’s works and bohemian influences adorn the city today and forever.

A long and fulfilling life erupting with colour and exuberance, we say goodbye and thank you to Mirka Mora and pay tribute to some of the wonderful things she created…