Mysterious floral artwork pops up overnight at Main Beach on Gold Coast

Secrecy surrounds a large floral installation that’s popped up on the Gold Coast. Have you seen it?

MAIN Beach locals awoke to find their suburb bloomed overnight, with a Banksy-style floral instalment mysteriously appearing near the corner of Tedder and Woodroffe avenues.

While secrecy surrounds the 2.5m x 1.5m LOVE “flower flash’’, it is suspected of being part of the Main Beach Flower Festival, to be held June 27-28.

The floral pop-up attraction, much like the graffiti artwork in the UK by a mystery artist known only as Banksy, is intended to bring happiness to the community and encourage them to re-emerge as COVID-19 restrictions are slowly lifted.

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An artist created this mural with flowers as a surprise for the Main Beach residents. Picture: Jason O'Brien

The installation is also thought to be a reminder for Gold Coasters to participate in the festival by handmaking butterflies to feature in the event’s artistic centrepiece, a decorated repurposed shipping container filled with handmade butterflies and covered with artwork.

A 3D digital photographer will film inside the container so festival-goers can “walk-around inside’’ the container via their computer. The festival is being promoted as “phygital’’ – a combination of digital and physical elements to help ensure the community’s safety during COVID-19.

“This is a community-focused activity that I believe will bring us all closer together. We want people to feel joy and to feel reinvigorated,” said floral artist Julia Rose, who as the festival’s artistic director is helping the Main Beach Business and Tourism Association Inc with the event.

“We are hoping to receive thousands of homemade butterflies to add to the installation. The butterflies can be made of paper, card, plastic … whatever you have at home will be ideal.”

A mysterious curator has created a floral installation on Tedder Ave at Main Beach. Picture: Jason O'Brien

Creations can be shared on social media with the tags #mainbeachflowerfest @mainbeach_flowerfestival. Butterflies can be posted to Julia Rose C/O Uki Post Office, 1464 Kyogle Road, Uki, NSW 2484, with those received after June 20, either digitally or physically, displayed in Tedder Avenue’s shop fronts.

Visit mainbeachflowerfestival.com.au to learn more.