Bjarni Wark is HAPPY DECAY

💎 Urban Beautician & Good Vibes Generator 💎

HAPPY DECAY is an Australian street artist/muralist working with large & small-scale walls and spaces in cities and urban/rural areas. Based around the Canberra – Sydney region & travels throughout Australia.

HAPPY DECAY – SPACE BEAUTICIAN – All Worlds (Photo: Ben Calvert)

I was born in Kurri Kurri, and grew up in the hills of Main Arm, out the back of Mullumbimby which is inland from Byron Bay. Today I live in the quaint town of Moruya.

My name of birth is Bjarni Wark but when it comes to street art and illustration work I have flipped it to HAPPY DECAY.

Why HAPPY DECAY?

It’s a play on the words, the idea of bringing happiness through street art to areas of the environment that are decaying and could do with a bit of a facelift.

Also, HAPPY DECAY is easier to say and remember than Bjarni Wark.

In 1997 I graduated from Art school & bounced around galleries but today the streets have become my gallery, making easy access for everyone.
HAPPY DECAY – Bjarni Wark

Where I Came From Artistically

Throughout my teenage years, it was common for me to be taking notes and drawing ideas in my sketchbook. So after completing high school and doing some worldly travelling I took some friendly advice I should go to art school.

Mates, music and art

After a 4 year stint, I graduated with a first-class honours degree from the Graphic Investigation Workshop in Canberra ANU.

After graduating I took up a year’s alumni residency with the Australian National University. Upon completing that I was invited and participated in working in a fine arts book/letterpress studio in New York for a 3 month period.

After about 5 years of trying to stitch it all together making a living from art, a few friends suggested looking into Graphic Design. I could see the opportunity there to use some of my creativity and illustration skills and get an actual paid position.

First job as a graphic design in Alice Springs getting to use my illustration skills

One of my true loves is etching, a traditional form of illustration you could say. I was heavily influenced by the renaissance period. I’d tweak it a bit to include modern-day quirkiness which flows into my work today as a street artist.

Etchings I made while at the School or Art in Canberra (left) and living in Japan (right).

As a Street Artist / Illustrator

Today as a street artist/illustrator I focus on working with urban environments & objects down to small book-sized Editorial Illustrations. I have a diverse skill set of styles that can be applied to a wide range of requirements.

One of my main services through street art is looking at urban activation within shared spaces. Making a shared space a more enjoyable experience for the people who have to use it.