David ‘MEGGS’ Hooke (b. 1978, Melbourne, Australia) is a mural, street and fine artist recognized for his large scale murals and detailed paintings that combine elements of nature, urban decay and abstraction to evokes a sense of flowing movement and states of change. His work explores core themes of sustainability, consumerism and life’s dualities in a continuing personal journey of self growth and finding connection to place.
With a background in surf/skate culture and graphic design, David’s personal arts practice began circa 2003 in street art when he adopted the moniker ‘MEGGS’ and became a founding member of the ‘EVERFRESH Studio’, now regarded as one of Australia’s most influential street art collectives. During the period of 2003-2010, MEGGS and his fellow Everfresh Studio members, produced many forms of street art, murals and DIY exhibitions around Melbourne and overseas.
MEGGS has since established himself as a professional mural and gallery artist with over 20 years experience in producing dynamic large scale murals and exhibitions which reflect his own journey and environments. He has exhibited and produced murals within Australia, as well as internationally within California, Michigan, Texas, Hawai’i, London, New Zealand, Japan, Mexico and India to this date.
In 2014 MEGGS relocated to the USA to pursue travel and career opportunities, spending the majority of his time living and working in Los Angeles, Detroit and Hilo (Hawai’i) which provided him with a greater understanding of the contrast between natural beauty and industrial decay. During this time MEGGS also co-founded ‘Temple Children’ a Hilo (Hawai’i) based artist residency which produced public artworks and exhibitions in Hawai’i to engage artists in cross cultural connections and environmental awareness.
MEGGS has held numerous successful solo exhibitions since 2007, most notably with Backwoods Gallery in Melbourne, Thinkspace Gallery in Los Angeles, White Walls Gallery in San Francisco, Above Second in Hong Kong and Inner State Gallery in Detroit. MEGGS’ artwork has been acquired by the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) and National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) permanent works on paper collections and are also included in the permanent collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London; the Museum of Art and History Lancaster, California and the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Indianapolis.
In 2019 MEGGS returned to Melbourne, reconnecting with ‘EVERFRESH’ , and continues to produce large-scale public murals and private commissions within Australia and abroad. His recent achievements include artwork for the bands BLINK 182 and PEARL JAM, murals for the Australian Open Tennis, The City of Melbourne, East Gippsland Rail Trail; and a sold out solo exhibition at Backwoods Gallery in Collingwood, July 2021.