IPSWICH Mayor Teresa Harding’s campaign to bring Ed Sheeran to the city has reached new heights with the unveiling of a massive mural in Ipswich Central.
The artwork, painted between the Hotel Commonwealth and 1 Nicholas Street, was funded by Sheeran’s record label Warner Music Australia.
Mayor Harding said the mural was the strongest sign yet that her repeated invitations were being taken seriously.
Since May, she has sent letters and emails, sung Sheeran songs on carnival rides, generated international media coverage, and even hand-delivered an invitation to his hometown pub in Ipswich, England.
The mural, measuring 11.5 metres by 4 metres, was painted by Brisbane artist Duncan Mattocks, who used 12 colours and 10 litres of paint over six days.
IPSWICH’S push to lure global superstar Ed Sheeran has gone next-level – with a giant mural splashed across the heart of the city.
The 11.5-metre artwork, painted between the Hotel Commonwealth and 1 Nicholas Street, was unveiled as part of Mayor Teresa Harding’s relentless campaign to bring Ed to town when he tours Australia in early 2026.
And with Sheeran’s record label Warner Music Australia footing the bill, the Mayor says the signs couldn’t be stronger.
“This is the strongest sign yet that my many invitations to Ed Sheeran, his management team and record label have been received,” she said.
“I am hopeful this mural is an indication that they are seriously considering our invitation for Ed to visit the biggest and best Ipswich in the world.
“I’ve sent letters and emails, social media posts, we’ve had media coverage in Australia and the UK, I’ve sang an Ed Sheeran song while riding the scariest ride at the Ipswich Show, and most recently visited Ed’s hometown in Ipswich, UK to hand-deliver my invitation.
“It’s extraordinary this has led to Warner Music Australia funding a mural of Ed Sheeran in the heart of our city.
Here’s hoping this will be the backdrop to a surprise Ed Sheeran gig when he returns to Brisbane in February 2026.
“With a brand-new album, an Australian tour on the way, and now an Ed Sheeran mural in the heart of the city, the buzz around a potential Ed Sheeran visit has reached an all-time high here in Ipswich.”
Artist Duncan Mattocks spent six days and 10 litres of paint bringing the mural to life.
“It has been one of the more notable projects I have undertaken, with a lot of interested locals dropping by throughout the week to ask questions or grab a photo. The town is buzzing about Ed Sheeran,” Mr Mattocks said.
“The mural is a nod to Ed Sheeran’s Ipswich roots, but also the excitement in our Ipswich about the possibility of Ed popping by for a visit when he tours Australia next year.
“It has been close to a week of painstakingly painting every small detail to bring Ed Sheeran to life, and it would be an absolute honour if he has the opportunity to see it himself.”
The mural campaign comes as Sheeran prepares to play three sell-out shows at Suncorp Stadium in February next year.
