Ian Wickham, The Nimbin GoodTimes
An emerging mural on the side of the Hemp embassy alerted me that a new muralist has arrived in town, Marta Kimberley.
I was working next door in the Embassy watching it go up – thinking this deserves a story. So I talked to her about the highs and lows of the task.
The lows?
She said she started it just as Cyclone Alfred was passing through, and following that there were weeks of rain. And when the sun finally was out it would hit her from sunrise to sunset.
And the uniqueness of the situation, being on a slope with a very long ladder that was very rickety was a challenge.
And the highs?
“I received lots of love from the community, delicious coffees from the Hemp Bar, and plenty of hands supporting me in the preparation area with scaffolding etc. I’d like to thank every beautiful soul that stopped by to say something nice.”
So what’s her history?
Marta is from Spain – she was working in the corporate world in an ad agency but wanted something more.
“I wanted to use public spaces with more reverence and for everyone. I knew I would be committing to a journey.
“I landed in Australia painting a spaceman in Chopper Lane, Melbourne, thanks to Mike Makatron. I am looking forward to paint anywhere around the earth where there is a project aligned with my work.”
So why pick Nimbin?
“I believe it was the other way around. The universe showed me the way here. It happened when a friend from Canada who was visiting a friend here invited me to come by.
“I was dreaming with living in nature and growing my own food surrounded by beautiful humans, and here I am.”
Well Marta, welcome aboard. I hope you can make a go of it here. There are certainly plenty of decaying mural spaces around Nimbin that could use some of your tender loving care.
This article appeared in The Nimbin GoodTimes, July 2025.
