Baz Luhrmann backs emerging Gold Coast artist Brandon Shaw after restaurant meeting

An emerging Gold Coast artist, who served film director Baz Luhrmann at a restaurant, was thrilled when the filmmaker attended his exhibition and bought a piece.

Baz Luhrmann has backed an emerging Queensland artist, who served the filmmaker at a Gold Coast restaurant.

Luhrmann, who is based on the Gold Coast while working on his big-budget Elvis Presley flick, met budding artist Brandon Shaw at his frequent dining spot, Broadbeach’s Lupo Restaurant, where Shaw invited the filmmaker to his debut solo exhibition.

The 27-year-old, who studied at the Queensland College of Art, was surprised when Luhrmann attended the show, held at neighbouring venue Zeppelin Barbers in October, and purchased one of his paintings for his Gold Coast pad.

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Baz Luhrmann purchased a painting from Gold Coast artist Brandon Shaw. Picture: Instagram/ @gud_thanks_ronnie

“He enjoyed my company (at Lupo), liked the martinis I made. He and his producer, Schuyler Weiss, I invited them to the show and they both came and bought some art and we’ve been friends ever since,” Shaw told Confidential.

“It’s hanging in his bedroom now where he is staying.”

“It’s incredible and it was a nice shock to the system.”

Shaw’s artwork is based on abstract but familiar shapes of his home on the Gold Coast, including a symbol representing growing up on a cul-de-sac.

Baz Luhrmann talking to the media about his latest movie Elvis. Picture: Jerad Williams

Luhrmann has made a point of investing in Queensland’s arts sector, bringing his Elvis movie to the Gold Coast as well as backing the Queensland Ballet, having hosted a dinner for the organisation on the Gold Coast late last year.

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Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin hosted a dinner for Queensland Ballet at Restaurant Labart on the Gold Coast in November. Picture: Instagram/ @stuart_giles

“He obviously likes my artwork, he wouldn’t have bought it otherwise, but I think he likes that it’s really Gold Coast. He talks a lot about the Gold Coast and how he’s investing in it,” Shaw said.

Shaw has sold his artwork, which starts from between $500 to $1000, to a number of restaurants on the Gold Coast as well as the Alfred’s Apartment store.

His paintings are now on display at Keith’s coffee shop in Murwillumbah and he has been approached by Holiday Maker Records to join their arts program.