Brisbane agency, brad bell Real Estate, unveiled a mural yesterday, paying tribute to their founder and namesake, Brad Bell (1955 – 2012), by one of Australia’s most exciting artists, Matteo Charles.
Brad’s son and now co-CEO of brad bell Real Estate, James Bell, addressed a crowd of local community members and The Hon. Ian Walker MP as the 2.4m x 2.4m mural was unveiled in Upper Mount Gravatt, where Brad opened his business in 1979.
The work was commissioned by James’ wife (Elite Agent’s own) Sarah Bell, as a surprise for James and the Bell family to mark the 5th anniversary of Brad’s passing in 2012, aged 55.
“Any true local from the house-proud and street-proud neighbourhood of the 4122 postcode in Brisbane will know of Brad Bell. Maybe they would know him through his work at brad bell Real Estate or his service as Vice-President of the REIQ for many years. Or, perhaps through his work as Patron of the Mount Gravatt Show. Possibly they knew Brad through the various committees and local organisations he supported with his time and skill, or maybe through a direct experience of his kindness and eagerness to be of assistance whenever someone needed,” said James Bell.
“He gave his all to his family, to this community, and to real estate generally as he fought for a better industry for the people who work in it and for customers across Queensland who he believed deserved an amazing experience,” said James Bell. “He loved his local community, and I can fondly remember him running fetes at school and supporting anything local – he considered the 4122 postcode to be his home.”
“It is a great tribute to a man who contributed so well to this society,” said Mr Walker of the artwork.
A man held in such high regard needed to be celebrated by an artist of equally high calibre and Matteo Charles was the man for the job.
Matteo Charles is a performer and speed painter who has gathered local and international fame for his pop art portraits of some of the world’s most famous faces. Having captured the likes of Sir Richard Branson, John Travolta, Halle Berry and Guy Sebastian and performing at shows and events such as The Today Show, X-Factor and The Grammy’s after party. Matteo travelled to Brisbane and painted the piece in just under 8 hours.
Matteo said, “It was an absolute honour to have had the opportunity to memorialise an icon within Brisbane such as Brad Bell within a permanently fixed setting that his friends and family are able to enjoy daily.”
James Bell says, “The glasses and half-smirk were his trademarks, and they are captured beautifully in this piece.”
“This iconic image is about Brad, the man, but it is also about his legacy and how we choose to do business. When we look at anyone joining our team, they must be B.R.A.D., which stands for brave, respectful, accountable and dynamic. They were the characteristics which defined Brad as a person and which continue to live on through our team.”
You can see more of Matteo Charles’ work at matteocharles.com
