Grill'd's burger with a side of design

Burger shop Grill’d has been working with designers and throwing in a side of art with The Grill’d Collective, an ongoing artistic commission program that invites some of Australia’s most talented illustrators to explore the world of Grill’d.

Each artist was given a series of provocative statements to illustrate. No rules, no hidden agendas. Their illustrations had to stimulate thought, inspire conversation and be a bit of fun.

The specially-commissioned works are on display at the new Grill’d restaurants on Crown Street and Victoria Street in Darlinghurst and at Grill’d Harbourside, Sydney.

Grill’d founder Simon Crowe said of The Grill’d Collective: "We want each Grill’d to have its own individual stamp. And there’s nothing more unique than a piece of art."

"We love the idea of turning the restaurant into an evolving canvas for young Australian artists to showcase their talents while also creating a fresh, bright space for our customers to hang out and enjoy their favourite Grill’d burger. From the very beginning we’ve featured illustrations on our restaurant walls -- this project takes it to the next level."

Artists involved with the Grill’d Collective include Chris Wahl, a Sydney-based award-winning illustrator, caricaturist and commercial artist.

Whal’s 'Hand Made' illustration captures the philosophy of Grill’d perfectly – it features a healthy, hand-made burger rising out of the rubble of mass-produced, artificial products.

On his inspiration for the piece, Wahl said: "In this day and age almost everything is plastic, over-processed and made by machines on factory floors. But at the end of the day, the quality, handmade products will always find a way to rise above…the natural overcoming the artificial. The hand-made overcoming the mass-produced."

'Hand Made' can be seen at Grill’d Harbourside, which has been designed by architects, Techne.

Magic Sweater, a freelance illustrator and designer hailing from Melbourne where Grill’d was born, was inspired by old Mad magazines, a psychology text book and the musical styling of Grandmaster B when he created his pieces for Grill’d.

'Say No To Bad Things' illustrates the myriad of choices we’re faced with every day. It’s on display at Grill’d Crown Street, whose retro-inspired fit-out was designed by ST Style.

Jumbo’s Blah Blah Blah, seen at Grill’d Victoria Street, is a comment on the street spruiker with the microphone selling the next greatest thing.

When asked about the piece, Jumbo, who studied printmaking at the National Art School, said the street spruiker was similar to someone yelling at a blind person to make themselves more heard.

"It’s nonsense, it doesn’t make you any clearer or more comprehensible. It’s just more noise."

Jumbo has featured some of his work in the Semi Permanent Design Show, the Adelaide Urban Art Festival and Go Font Ur Self exhibition. He has also been published in Edition Magazine.

Australian artist and illustrator James Jirat Patradoon cites contemporary American artist Raymond Pettibon and Japanese Manga artist, writer and director Katsuhiro Otomo as his artistic influences.

With work appearing in Acclaim, Empty, Complex and Beautiful/Decay magazines, his piece, 'News From Nowhere' questions how much of our perception of reality is influenced by the way we see moving images in films and television, can be seen at Grill’d Victoria Street.

Grill’d Victoria Street has been designed by Hassell and the Grill’d Collective has been curated by Fabio Ongarato Design.

www.grilld.com.au.