In the world of street art and tattoo culture, stories where an individual completes a full circle – from one form of creativity to another, and then returns to their roots with new experience and depth – are rare. This is precisely the path taken by Mika Glenda, a creator from Torquay, who after two decades of working in tattoo studios, has once again picked up spray cans and begun creating large-scale murals on the city walls.
From Childhood Drawings to Graffiti Legend
Glenda’s passion for drawing began at the age of seven, but his real breakthrough came at thirteen when he completed his first graffiti work. Since then, his life has been inextricably linked with street art: trains, buses, walls – everything became a canvas for his self-expression.
He soon joined SDM Crew – a renowned Melbourne graffiti collective founded in 1992. Initially called “So Damn Mad,” the group later changed its name to “Sleep Deprived Maniacs” – a nickname that stuck due to their late-night sessions, working until three in the morning.
Twenty Years in the Tattoo Industry
After the graffiti era, Glenda immersed himself in the world of tattoos. He opened his own studio, Ice Cream Tattoo, in Torquay, where he worked until January 2026. During this time, he became part of a unique community where each client represented a story, trust, and a personal connection.
“For me, it wasn’t the tattoos themselves that were more important, but the people I gave them to,” Glenda admits. “It didn’t matter if they were famous or not – I loved working with each of them.”
Return to Murals
The closure of the studio became a turning point. Glenda decided to focus on large formats – murals, which allow him to experiment with color, style, and creative freedom without the pressure inherent in tattoo art.
“If you make a mistake in a letter or word in a tattoo – it’s hard to fix. But on a wall, you can repaint it,” the artist notes.
Personal Projects and Tributes
Among Glenda’s recent works, two key projects stand out:
- A mural for Torquay Eyecare in Torquay’s industrial area – a bright and noticeable piece that attracts the attention of passersby.
- A portrait of Liam Benzie in the Surf City area – the artist’s most personal and emotional project. Benzie, a local skateboarder, was a close friend of Glenda’s and a frequent visitor to his tattoo studio. After his death, his brother Rory proposed creating a memorial mural, which became a tribute to the legend of the local skate community.
“This is my favorite work. It means a lot to me,” says Glenda.
Other Works and Recognition
Glenda’s art can also be seen on the walls of other establishments: Bones MMA and Mavis Mavis on Gilbert Street, where he painted a portrait of a grandmother – another example of how he connects art with personal stories.
Expert View: Why This Transition Matters
The transition from tattoo artist to street artist is not just a change of tools. It’s a change of philosophy. Tattooing is an intimate, personal art form that requires absolute precision and trust. A mural is a public statement, accessible to everyone, yet no less profound and emotional.
By returning to graffiti, Glenda is not simply repeating the past – he is enriching it with the experience gained over two decades in the tattoo industry. His works now carry not only visual power but also human stories, making them particularly valuable in the context of contemporary street culture.
Future and Ambitions
Now, Glenda feels like a true artist – without impostor syndrome, ready to experiment and create. He is happy to be on the street, spray cans in hand, and to feel again the freedom that graffiti gave him in his youth.
“I can finally call myself an artist,” he says. “And I’m ready for it.”
Mika Glenda’s story is not just a biography of one person. It is an example of how art can lead a person in a circle, returning them to their roots with new understanding, experience, and depth. And in this lies the true power of creativity.