Market Masterpiece

For artist Mark Bo Chu, inspiration comes from the streets. "I travel the span of Melbourne to eat, to see and to live life," he says. "I always pry under the skin, even at my own dinner table, which can annoy those around me."

He hasn't always been an artist, although he's always been surrounded by creative culture, from the time he trained as a concert pianist – "at the age of 14 I made solo recordings with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra" – to studying an MFA in fiction at Columbia University.

Deli Indulgence

When spring arrives, Mark takes the time to walk. "The sun is sharp and nature offers up its colours again," he says at this time of year. "It's not quite warm enough to be out all day, so a stroll through the deli section of a market is just the thing."

"My cover shows the energy of first laying eyes on the rich larder of Queen Victoria Market. This cover is also a confession. I'm a deli fanatic, I can't even do carbs with cheese. It has to be straight. Cheese is good in the bath; it's better in bed. I call that horizontal decadence."

Life Inspires Art

Mark has painted more over the past few years, since finding a deeper appreciation for public spaces, although he's also exhibited in New York and Shanghai.

'I found my groove painting Melbourne, and it's the best job because I study while I paint.'

The city also allows him to indulge his interest in two scenes: hospitality and underground electronic music. "Gilson in South Yarra is my everyday spot for a coffee, with the best barista in town Lio," Mark says. "I love Skydiver in Collingwood, Quiet Time in Clifton Hill and Waxflower in Brunswick East, especially if The Tortoise is DJing."