Michael Fikaris (b. Naarm/Melbourne, VIC) is an Australian visual artist interested in storytelling, ephemeral art and public space. Initially a central figure in both Melbourne's comic zines and street art movements of the early 2000's, Fikaris has developed a distinct career, continuing to move between their specialties on a diversity of projects locally and abroad.
As an author and illustrator of graphic storytelling, Michael has books published with Kus Comics EU, SRY not Sorry (2022) and Glom Press AU, Check Points (2023), as well as short pieces in collections from Pantheon US, Rescue Party (2024) and Strapazin EU, No.160. (2026). His work moves between philosophical and biographical and he is currently working on a long format book with a North American publisher due for release in early 2028.
As a painter and designer of mural art, Fikaris has been invited to public art festivals in UK, France, Timor and Australia and his work has been featured in documentaries and books on the subject including with Thames & Hudson AU, Melbourne Street Art Guide, (2016). Michaels work explores themes of identity and growth with a strong belief that art is a powerful catalyst for personal empowerment and social change.
Michael is also an autonomous publisher and archivist who founded Silent Army Projects in 2011, a platform focused on collaborative, creative engagement. This dedication has seen him receive the national award for outstanding service to Australian comics, produce many publications as well as manage several international tours which have resulted in meaningful intercultural projects and connections.
Fikaris has exhibited widely both locally and internationally and has work held in several major public collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria (Living Artists Collection), the State Library of Victoria (Artists’ Books Collection), and the National Gallery of Australia (Book Arts Collection).
As an author and illustrator of graphic storytelling, Michael has books published with Kus Comics EU, SRY not Sorry (2022) and Glom Press AU, Check Points (2023), as well as short pieces in collections from Pantheon US, Rescue Party (2024) and Strapazin EU, No.160. (2026). His work moves between philosophical and biographical and he is currently working on a long format book with a North American publisher due for release in early 2028.
As a painter and designer of mural art, Fikaris has been invited to public art festivals in UK, France, Timor and Australia and his work has been featured in documentaries and books on the subject including with Thames & Hudson AU, Melbourne Street Art Guide, (2016). Michaels work explores themes of identity and growth with a strong belief that art is a powerful catalyst for personal empowerment and social change.
Michael is also an autonomous publisher and archivist who founded Silent Army Projects in 2011, a platform focused on collaborative, creative engagement. This dedication has seen him receive the national award for outstanding service to Australian comics, produce many publications as well as manage several international tours which have resulted in meaningful intercultural projects and connections.
Fikaris has exhibited widely both locally and internationally and has work held in several major public collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria (Living Artists Collection), the State Library of Victoria (Artists’ Books Collection), and the National Gallery of Australia (Book Arts Collection).
“Michael Fikaris is a great worker... a remarkable innovator and scene setter… he’s really part of the materiality of Melbourne”.
- Smart Arts, Triple R FM Radio , Melbourne, 2023
“I deeply admire and respect the passion and energy Michael Fikaris pours into everything he does. He has always been generous of spirit and I feel an immense amount of gratitude to him for providing so many of us in the comic community with opportunities to have our work seen and read. These invitations continue to play an intrinsic role in supporting many creators in Australia and internationally to find a home for their work as well as fostering the confidence to pursue other publishing opportunities. Michael’s warm heart, welcoming presence and zest for creativity continues to inspire. He brings people together and he makes things happen. I am a huge fan of his work and I feel lucky to have created comics in a time with Michael Fikaris.”
- Mandy Ord. Cartoonist, Melbourne.
“Michael Fikaris is a person I regard as a mentor. He’s a spirit of great calmness and authenticity. I look up to him in many ways and seek to emulate his passion for community and belief on the power of drawing to unite people. I really admire Michael’s ability to work across mediums, communities and spaces. His ability to connect like minded creatives and kind people is legendary. He creates safe place and I admire his softness of friendship and his never ending drive to create. He’s made a huge impact on the creative community and is a person I very much respect and see as a leader in many creative sub cultures across Melbourne and around the world”.
- David Booth/ghostpatrol. Artist, Melbourne.
- Mandy Ord. Cartoonist, Melbourne.
“Michael Fikaris is a person I regard as a mentor. He’s a spirit of great calmness and authenticity. I look up to him in many ways and seek to emulate his passion for community and belief on the power of drawing to unite people. I really admire Michael’s ability to work across mediums, communities and spaces. His ability to connect like minded creatives and kind people is legendary. He creates safe place and I admire his softness of friendship and his never ending drive to create. He’s made a huge impact on the creative community and is a person I very much respect and see as a leader in many creative sub cultures across Melbourne and around the world”.
- David Booth/ghostpatrol. Artist, Melbourne.