By Brittany Drysdale
WALKING through the streets of Shepparton, it’s common to see the cities walls decorated with delightful designs created by talented street artists. One such artist is local woman Sophie Wilson, also known as Sophletta.
While backpacking through Brazil in 2015, Sophie was inspired by the vibrant street art scene and decided to give art a try for the first time. It was there she met fellow street artist- and now husband- Davidson Lopes who invited Sophie to create her very first mural at a local school.
“It was only a small mural, but it was very overwhelming. From there I started painting more and more on the street and met the other street artists from the city, and it’s grown from there,” said Sophie.
Specialising in vibrant murals, Sophie is able to transform a drab and dreary space into an explosion of colour. Rather than let the town be bombarded with public ads or boring blank buildings, Sophie aims to give the community something beautiful to look at.
“When we walk down the street we see advertising, we see plain walls- whereas art is something that is so powerful and inspiring and brings happiness to people’s lives.
“But it can also make us question things and see different perspectives. It’s the voice of the people,” said Sophie.
Speaking to what she loves about street art, Sophie says it’s the connections made with the community that makes it so worthwhile, and having those open dialogues you wouldn’t usually have with strangers is one of the best things about street art.
“There’s something about street art that opens this portal to the community where people can express themselves. That’s where street art started, that’s what it’s all about”
