Hi, I’m Bohie Blackwood.
I create visual storytelling that inspires connection to each other, and to the natural world.
Partnering with government agencies, educational institutions, and community groups, I create graphic design, illustration and murals aimed to educate and inspire. My work is hands-on, inclusive, community-engaged, and designed to celebrate diverse human and non-human voices while transforming spaces and stories into meaningful, shared experiences.
My Services
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Specialising in digitally enhanced hand crafted illustration, layout design, and infographics, I partner with governments, education institutions and corporate campaigns to deliver high quality, professional designs on time, and within budget.
Please contact my commercial studio RAW INITIATIVE for details. -
Drawing from years of passion and experience learning the dying craft of traditional sign painting, I deliver high quality hand lettering and physically painted signage for space activation, events, conferences and more.
Please contact my commercial studio RAW INITIATIVE for details.
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Designing indoor and outdoor mural projects in private and public schools, localised public space activation for regional and urban communities, corporate offices and live art for event activation.
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Utilising my creativity as a tool for social and environmental change through such projects as large scale public murals in collaboration with the Australian National University’s Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, graphic design for corporate and educational institutional Reconciliation Action Plans, infographic illustration design for government environmental agency educational material, and raising young female and non-binary voices in partnership with UN Women for International Women’s Day.
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Engaging groups and teams in unique place-making projects that contribute to community well-being, brand development, workplace and public space culture.
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Collaborating with local schools to co-design and co-execute place-making murals and creative projects that respond to relevant themes of their group, like school values, sustainability messaging and anti-bullying campaigns. These workshops engage directly with young people as my clients, working closely with your leadership team to meet the project needs and funding expectations.
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With over 10 years working with local governments, corporate groups, at-risk youth and research institutions, my consultancy services advise on how to effectively design and manage meaningful creative campaigns that leave a lasting impact in the public space. My skills assist to cultivate an environmental and social sense of belonging which promotes wellbeing, authenticity and grassroots connection.
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13+ Years of Design Experience
Leaning on my training in client-led graphic design to bring “hyper-local” grass roots change-making campaigns to workplace cultures, passionate youths, and communities like yours
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![Socially-Engaged Designs]()
Socially-Engaged Designs
Involving communities and client groups in the co-creation and participatory design of my works, ensuring the output reflects relevant, lived experience
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Servicing Regional Areas
While being based in Geelong, Victoria, I consciously raise regional voices alongside urban stories, celebrating the meaningful work being achieved in regional areas across Australia.
Testimonials
“Bohie builds bridges; she connects the most surprising areas of intellectual exploration and inspires all who work with her. Her curious, open and friendly nature makes every conversation and collaboration very enjoyable.”
- Anna-Sophie Jurgens, Australian National University Centre for the Public Awareness of Science
“Bohie is dedicated, honest and creates meaningful creative work that helped our community connect with place on a deep level, inspiring positivity and collective action and helping grow a sense of place, which is so important in a new suburb.”
- Nic Plunkett-Cole, Director of Placemaking, Suburban Land Agency
“Bohie’s positivity, passion and creative expression has no doubt made an immeasurable impact on youth within the community. Her youth-focused approach has always left young people feeling heard, empowered and a key part of every project. If only there were more Bohie’s out there!”
— Zac Noble, Youth Worker and Youth Project Coordinator
“Bohie was a delight to work with. She was responsive to our school's needs, worked really well with the students and adaptable to changing nature of a school. We are so happy with the final product, thank you Bohie.”
— Ben Sanderson, Wellbeing Leader, South Australia Dept for Education, School Mural Project Facilitator
"Absolute integrity from A to Z. Design, research, execution, professionalism, inclusion, kindness and an absolute rock star for the planet and for supporting up and coming females in the sector."
- Sophie Peer, Suburban Land Agency, ACT Government
“Bohie’s professionalism and exceptional talent enabled the successful realisation of our project with UBER, which received an incredible response from the public.”
— Victoria Bowes, Executive Officer, Guildhouse, Project Facilitator for UBER commission
“Bohie is a deeply introspective individual, who doesn’t shy away from asking challenging questions of herself, her art or the society in which she lives. I am again, deeply inspired by the way that Bohie uses her art and design to celebrate the natural world and to give voice to those that don’t share her platform and power, challenging inherent social inequalities…”
— Paul West, Broadcaster, Author and gardener
“Bohie was great. We needed to create a different vibe in the main atrium of the National Museum for an exhibition on new Olympic Sports and Bohie came up with a concept that was bang on. And then to top it off she came in on time and on budget (and was great to work with).”
— Dr Jono Lineen, Curator, National Museum of Australia
I have a unique approach to school murals for pre, primary, secondary, and universities. Deeply passionate about raising young voices, I approach my projects with a “round table” co-design model - allowing teachers, students and engaged community members to become active participants in shaping their environment.
Looking for a community-engaged school mural?
Selected Clients
Government Funded
Public Mural Commission Inspired by Field Work with Molonglo River Ranger In Charge
Research-led public mural commission with strong environmental messaging, inspired by field work undertaken with Molonglo River Reserve Environmental Protection Agency
Case Studies
Design Thinking Strategist’s Unique Approach to Office Mural Commission
Including two week in-house art residency at their global headquarters, team building workshop with employees, and bespoke mural artwork commission that doubles as event backdrop in their hirable corporate space and meeting room
Public Mural Created in Partnership with ACT Government “NoWaste” Initiative
Project documented by Australian National University’s Centre for the Public Awareness of Science resulting in co-authored paper published in Jcom international science journal and mini documentary focus screened at National Film & Sound Archive
Mural Commission by the National Museum of Australia, including School Holiday Program and Paid Mentorship for Emerging First Nations Artist to Assist
Sustainable Messaging in Street Art.
In this short video, I sit down with key stakeholders from the ACT Government’s Suburban Land Agency and research partners from the Parks and Conservation Service to discuss my mural project. The project involved creating an 8-sided mural on suburban ICON waterboxes, focusing on themes of sustainability and belonging.
Video by: Ocolo Digital
Design Thinking Strategist’s Unique Approach to Office Mural Commission
GoodShout Documentary Focus.
“We knew that public art could start conversations and be divisive. But what we didn’t know, was how much artists like Bohie want to reflect their local community in their work and bring people together. Street art is often government-funded and a way to make tired spaces colourful - but that doesn’t mean there’s not a strong social message behind what you walk past everyday on your way to work.”
Video by: Nicholas Arganese & Callum Lawrence
Contributors: John Barrington
My Approach
Research-driven
I engage a hyper-local, research-based methodology to uncover inspiration for my creations, workshopping with community focus groups, educational institutions, government agencies, and stewards of the natural world to create site-specific projects in both regional and urban communities.
Considered
Using empathy within my art as an ethical model for leadership towards our shared future, I ensure socially relevant themes and heart-led concepts. No matter who my clients are, it feels important that my project partners (young and old) are being heard and represented on key matters such as raising youth voices, climate action & environment, and mental health & well-being.
My Why
Being directly impacted by the 2019/2020 bushfires, I am deeply rooted in a commitment to climate communication. This combined with a passion for empowering young women+ as I heal my own gender inflicted wounds, creates ongoing themes of empowerment, and inclusivity - for the natural world inclusive of humans.
My works embrace my spirit of resilience and authenticity; bridging gaps, sparking dialogue, and driving positive change in communities like yours.
While executing meaningful work under tight deadlines, I aim to be an advocate for sensitivity within the public realm, challenging superficial design concepts with deeply considered solutions.
“In Our Hands” collaboratively painted, socially-engaged street art responding to 2019/2020 Black Summer Bushfires
Case Studies
National Museum of Australia Mural Commission, including School Holiday Program and Paid Mentorship for Emerging Artist to Assist
Commissioned by the National Museum of Australia to design and install large-scale wall murals for “Riding the Olympic Wave: Breakthrough Sports” exhibition in the Gandel Atrium of the National Museum of Australia (NMA). Exhibition curated by International Olympic Committee in Switzerland and Head Curator of the National Museum.
Community Mural Promoting Positive Self-Talk for Young Women & Non-Binary, Featuring Keynote by Female Olympian for International Women’s Day
Co-created public space activation involving Erindale College students to paint a community mural in the heart of Canberra. Supported by YWCA and Mura Lanyon Youth Centre, the project was unveiled with a media launch opened by the ACT Minister for Women, attracting coverage in The Canberra Times, City News, WIN News, and ABC Radio.
Exploring Subversion and Ritual at Guapamacátaro
Art & Ecology Residency, Michoacán, Mexico
10 day art residency reflecting on the cultural melting pot of symbolic and mythological traditions in Mexico. Through my work I explored communication design, power, and the role of subversion in art through ephemeral environmental creations on the external walls of a 400 year old Hacienda.
Conversations with fellow international artists in residence and my own research led me to local rituals where syncretic traditions, such as the use of Coca-Cola in Maya-Catholic, are creating a striking juxtaposition of old and new.
I acknowledge the Yuin and the Wadawurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the two beautiful lands and waters that I live, work and play on.
I pay my respect to all First Nations and Torres Strait Islanders, Ancestors
- past present and emerging.
Get in Touch!
Schedule a free 1:1 introductory session with me to discuss your project needs.
