This painting captures Melbourne's historic Royal Arcade through a figurative expressionist lens. The iconic yellow face is enlivened with soft pinks, purples and whites glowing through the windows, celebrating both structure and atmosphere. At the crown of the building, the lion and the unicorn, symbols found on many of Melbourne's older architectural landmarks, stand as guardians of the city's colonial heritage. A pink flower blooms near the top of the composition, an expressive flourish that reflects the beauty and character of the building itself, while a tree anchors the scene at street level. Set beneath a vivid blue sky, the work balances architectural strength with warmth, nostalgia and joy.
Influenced by historic urban architecture and the figurative expressionist tradition, responding to place through colour and form.