Internationally renown artist Matt Adnate flew back from half-way across the world this week to paint the town, as part of the Nowra Alive project.

For three days, the back wall of Nowra Library has transformed into a work of art, representing the indigenous people of Australia, Nowra and its culture.

It took 20 litres of paint and 70 spray cans for the Melbourne artist to recreate the image of an Aboriginal boy he snapped on a Northern Territory trip.

Adnate said the image was taken in the desert plains where he experienced indigenous people’s ancient culture and the immense beauty of their land.

His passion shines through Nowra’s latest mural, which he has accompanied with the image of a black cockatoo, a totem to the people of Nowra and the Yuin Nation.

Adnate said he used the deep, earthy tones to directly link to the Aboriginal flag.

“It pushes a very powerful message [of unification],” Adnate said.

He said it was an honour to put his mark on the Shoalhaven.

“It’s cool with a project like this because I wasn’t dictated who I had to paint, so I picked the cream of the crop from thousands of my photos,” he said.

“This boy is anonymous because I don’t want it to be about the individual person, I want it to represent the indigenous community as a whole.”

The landscape in the boy’s eyes is left to “the interpretation of the people.”

Adnate’s portraiture is in high-demand around the world, just last week he was painting in Singapore and is off to Johannesburg in South Africa on Friday to spread his vision.

“When I grew up I had hippy parents and there was amazing cultural stuff around the house. I think that’s where that influence came from, and then in recent years it has been something I’ve been able to explore personally,” he said.

“Our indigenous culture is the Aboriginal community and it’s such an amazing, deep culture. 

“It wasn’t hard to feel inspired by.”

Adnate has practised art professionally for 15 years, but only switched his canvases for building-walls five years ago.

“I did 10 years of painting graffiti and then five years painting portraits.”

Needless to say the locals love the new addition to the town.

Shoalhaven City Council executive strategy manager Susan Tracey said the mural has added to Nowra’s creation of an arts and culture precinct to be enjoyed by the community.

“I’d describe this as high-end street art,” she said.

“Matt is asked to travel the world to do these works and to have one in Nowra is really amazing.”

Ms Tracey said the message behind Nowra Alive projects was to highlight every day people.

“This is a great way to celebrate people and culture.”