Famous quotes from one of Australia's most popular films have been transformed into artworks that aim to celebrate self-acceptance.

Brisbane artist James Hillier, aka Nordacious, has spent hundreds of hours creating pop art illustrations of characters and scenes inspired by Muriel's Wedding.

His debut exhibition Time Of Your Life takes visitors back to the 1990s with portraits of characters from the classic film.

"Many of the pieces reference the memorable pop culture moments in the film and the one liners like 'You're terrible Muriel'," he said.

"Some of them are meant to be bittersweet like the drawing of Muriel with the line underneath that reads 'Having the time of your life'.

"It's a light-hearted ABBA lyric, but you can see the pain in her face and everything she's been through."

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Hillier has been sharing his artwork through Facebook and was contacted by fans from throughout the world.

"I've been blown away by the response as I had no idea the film was so popular in the [United] States and the UK," he said.

"People have been liking and sharing the images all over social media.

"It's very flattering and it's wonderful to get recognition for what you work really hard at."

You're not alone, you're with Muriel

The film's story of tragedy, isolation, mental health and friendship motivated Hillier to focus on the film.

He said his work had been a "celebration of everything revealed on Muriel's journey to self-acceptance".

"Some of the drawings are camp, fun and upbeat, but others are more serious which is what the film as a genre tackled really well," he said.

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"For many people seeing the images takes them back to specific moments in the film and how it made them feel.

"Most people can relate to Muriel at any given point in someone's life ... feeling like an outcast or the underdog or feeling really misunderstood.

"I hope people reconnect with those times of their life and they can see that their life means something and they can be someone."

Millions of points in each portrait

Hillier created his work with pointillism, a technique where distinct dots are applied to create an image.

"I started experimenting with the style about a year ago when I was looking for inspiration," he said.

"It takes a long time but it's therapeutic and relaxing."

Nordacious uses different phrases and scenes from Muriel's Wedding in his work. ( Supplied: Nordacious )

Hillier said a recent "binge session of Muriel's Wedding on Netflix" led him to use the film in his work.

"I loved the bold, interesting, striking characters and I really wanted to bring them to life through my artwork.

"I want people to enjoy the '90s nostalgia that many people felt connected to in the movie."

What did the actors have to say?

Actresses Gennie Nevison, who played Deirdre Chambers, and Gabby Millgate, who played Joanie Heslop, have both seen the artwork.

"Gennie has been blown away by the attention but also confused why people are still so interested," Hillier said.

"Gabby loves the art and she thinks her portrait looks like Mona Lisa."

Hillier said each piece had taken him more than 100 hours to create.

"If I had to choose a favourite it would be my most recent one which says Goodbye Porpoise Spit," he said.

The Goodbye Porpoise Spit illustration is one of the artist's favourite pieces. ( Supplied: Nordacious )

"There's this look of sheer ecstasy and joy and it speaks to their friendship and everything coming full circle."

The pop culture artist said he planned to add a few more pictures to the series and aimed to tour the exhibition to both Sydney and Melbourne.

Time Of Your Life opens tonight at This Must Be the Place, Fortitude Valley and runs until August 12.