The Canberra Centre has revealed the first in a specially-commissioned series of art works created by New York-based Australian artist Nick Thomm in his "signature photo-realistic style".
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The flamboyant piece is at the entrance to the centre's new "beauty and wellness precinct", which opens in July on the ground level, next to David Jones.
Canberra Centre manager Amanda Paradiso said Thomm's work had been exhibited in institutions ranging from the National Gallery of Victoria to New York's New Museum, was "a trailblazer of the art scene".
"We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to bring Nick Thomm back to Australia to share his colourful and dynamic work in this unique way with our city," Ms Paradiso said.
Thomm said his custom pieces for the new beauty and wellness precinct explored the idea that the world's understanding of beauty was changing.
"I looked at the layers of beauty; deconstructing typical fashion imagery and beauty elements, and reconstructing them in an abstract way that represents all of these things as one," he said.
"The idea that there are layers to beauty is important – what you see is not necessarily what someone else sees, and that's been a large part of the inspiration behind the work."
The series will be on display progressively throughout June and July, the first piece hard to miss.
"I like my work to be overwhelming," Nick Thomm said. "When you stand in front of it you should feel the presence of the work, it should be hypnotising."
The Canberra Centre recently announced the transformation of Monaro Mall with a beauty and wellness space including Mecca Maxima, Jurlique, Aveda, Perfect Potion, Eden Laser Clinic, 3ina and Inglot.
