In 1988, the Junior School at Kew welcomed a number of leading Melbourne artists and craftsworkers who displayed their talents and involved students in the production of artworks
for permanent display around the School. In 1988, the Artist in Residence was Yugoslavian born artist Mark Strizic whose mural Fantasia For Paint and Brush was unveiled by Mrs Lorraine Elliott, then Carey parent and Vice-President of the Victorian Branch of the Liberal Party, on April 28th.

"Painting and music sometimes come together, perhaps a composer is influenced by a painting or a colour'', said Mark. "Some painters listen to music while painting, and may also hear, in their mind's ear, music coming out of their work."

The title of the work alludes to music, a composition in which form is subservient to fancy. The birds, animals, and vegetation are somewhat fanciful, and reveal the paint and its tools of application.

Mark explained that he aimed to show the young viewer how the picture was made, to deliberately show the brush mark and the textures of different brushes, the swish of the painting knife, the varied qualities of the lines used.

The mural was originally on display in the entrance foyer of the Steele Wing in the Junior School, Kew.