Karla Hayes is a multi-disciplinary artist based on Dharawal land (Wollongong).

Across a range of mediums Karla creates whimsical artworks inspired by the diversity of Australian landscapes - from the lush subtropical rainforests of the Illawarra to the stubborn mangroves interrupting urban sprawl in Sydney’s Inner West wetlands. 

A childhood spent snorkelling and bushwalking developed her deep love of nature which informs her work today. After completing her Honours in Design in Visual Communications at UTS in 2019 she began forging a creative practice vibrantly depicting and advocating for local species. Combining the language of comic books and ecology she aims to spark appreciation and conservation of the natural world. 

Passionate about creating art in public spaces, Karla enjoys interrupting the urban landscape with splashes of colour, encouraging thoughtful engagement with flora and fauna in her murals, illustrations and community art workshops.