There’s a new mural watching over Wicks Place, all bold colour, smiling faces and layers pulled from the neighbourhood around it. Created by local artist Elliott Routledge, the work was shaped by drawings submitted by kids from around the precinct, stitched together with Elliot’s own visual language and long connection to Marrickville.
For Elliott, this part of Sydney is more than just a backdrop. He’s lived and worked around the inner west for years, raising his kids nearby, painting from his studio in the area and building a creative practice inspired by the texture, energy and everyday life of Marrickville itself.
“The grimy texture of the area, I love that,” he says. “There’s always different things happening here.”
So naturally, when we asked Elliott for his Marrickville recommendations, the list ended up feeling a lot like the area itself, creative, relaxed, family-oriented and heavily centred around food.
First Coffee of the Day
For coffee, Elliott keeps it simple: cappuccino, every time.
His regular stop is Double Roasters, usually on the way from Petersham to his studio after school drop-off.
“My order is always a cappuccino,” he says. “I’m like a child.”
Fair enough, honestly. Especially when the coffee’s this good.
The Food Spot He Sends Everyone To
Ask Elliott where to eat in Marrickville and he’ll probably point you straight towards the little pocket around Poor Toms.
That little stretch near Chapel Street and Rich Street has become one of his favourite food zones in the inner west, home to Pizza Madre, Poor Toms, Gelato Messina and Heaps Normal all within walking distance of each other.
“It’s the best little food location in the area,” he says.
His personal favourite? Pizza inside the Poor Toms building.
“I’m a pizza nerd,” he admits. “Favourite pizza, favourite drinks, favourite place. Everything about it is the best.”
Strong endorsement.
The “Can’t Be Bothered Cooking” Dinner Plan
With two young kids at home, Elliott says weeknight dinners are usually less about planning and more about finding somewhere easy nearby.
Luckily, Marrickville delivers.
“If we can’t be bothered cooking, we’ll just head to one of the pubs,” he says. “There’s like a million pubs around here with really good food.”
Sunday Routine
Sundays are usually reserved for Addi Road Community Organisation markets.
Every week, Elliott heads down with his kids to wander through the stalls, pick up bits and pieces and see what’s changed since the week before.
“There’s good little stalls there you wouldn’t really get anywhere else,” he says.
Lunch Around Wicks
Closer to Wicks Place itself, Elliott rotates between a few reliable favourites.
For something quick, it’s usually Sushi Train for nigiri and sashimi, or a sandwich from Berta’s (an easy 4 min walk outside our doors).
“The salami sandwich is the best,” he says.
Switching Off
When there’s finally a spare moment between parenting, painting and work, Elliot usually ends up back at his studio.
“My studio is in the area, so if I get time off from the kids, I’ll just go there and paint.”
Which, honestly, feels pretty Marrickville too.
The Bit That Made It Into The Mural
The starting point for Elliott’s mural at Wicks Place came from drawings submitted by local kids, built into a collage-style piece full of flowers, colour and smiling faces.
“What stood out to me was the smiley faces and the flowers,” he says. “I use smiley faces a lot in my work already, so I was instantly drawn to that.”
The final mural pulls together pieces of Marrickville Elliott sees every day, the creativity, the mix of cultures, the energy of the area and the slightly chaotic charm that makes the neighbourhood feel like itself.
“I hope people walking past feel a sense of joy,” he says. “And feel welcomed into the space.”
