Pam stands

Pam the Bird-Blog post

The unveiling of the larger than life identity of Pam the Bird comes in the face of the law. Pam painted Melbourne and it's really unfortunate how the city has symbolically failed to embrace a vibrant underground street art/graffiti culture. It stays contained to areas like Hosier where unless you're ten feet tall, struggle to find a new spot. Artists need to go further afield. A targeted crackdown will see the accused appear in the magistrates court alongside another writer of heights.   

Pam-Instagram

The Guardian-Pam

St Kilda junction

An entre serving of the St-Kilda junction walls before the main course blog post served later.

 

Pam the bird

Pam the bird has acquired a larger than life status on the streets and rooftops across Melbourne. Appearing recently on The Project, Pam offers an anything is possible attitude. By painting unimaginable locations across Melbourne Pam has earnt respect traversing the graffiti sub-culture into the mainstream psyche. It must be mentioned there are many graffiti writers across Melbourne that have gained similar status for their achievements. Obviously those include but are not limited to writers Pork, Nost, Jetso/Peezor, Uzi, Heef, Gettinup, Golfa, RIP Sinch etc. 

The below photo shows Bradmill in Yarraville one of the last relics of the former working class suburb. As the traffic travels across the west gate bridge, city bound you are greeted at eye level with the graffiti saturated Bradmill. A former cotton textile factory that once operating from 1927 until its closure in 2006. This site has attracted visitors from far and wide to witness and paint one of the most notorious of Melbourne's abandoned buildings. *More on this in a later post. The best roof-top spots already taken, Pam shows respect by finding a new space amongst the clutter, capturing the roof. The competition to claim bigger, bolder and more outrageous spots is a long running story in the Melbourne graffiti scene. 70K graffiti crew from late 90's were likely the first to set the high bar for hard to reach locations (see below when Renks and Stan tagged every window of an abando in the CBD). They were prolific and painted heaven pieces higher than anyone else. Since then many artists have followed with people like Nost and Pork more recently bombing and piecing high-profile spots never painted before. The story continues, whilst Pam was caught, before long the next graffiti artist will emerge. Whilst a number of people have walked to the west-gate Pam is really one of the few that climbed it and left a mark despite every obstacle possible. Special mention to Uzi for his buffed tag is still legible on the middle pylon. Often just a simple outline the innocent bird appears across the city reaching new heights and flying free.  

 

 

Some of Melbourne's Finest

This wall is known for its high quality graffiti.

Its Friday!

Here's something juicy to sink your teeth into just before the weekend hits. 

                                                  http://www.bailer.com.au/about/

Fresh from Hosier Lane, 13th post

The vibe of Hosier is constantly changing. Culture Kings a new store has opened up, smack bang in the middle of the lane-way pumping out pop music and selling the "latest" fashion. The only good part about this is the crowds it brings to Hosier. However the major negative effect is the commodification of the Melbourne street art, graffiti scene. This store is primarily marketing itself on the surrounding painted walls. This is a great example of how capitalism subconsciously infiltrates public space and completely fucks with free unrestricted creative energy. 

http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/culture-kings-moves-near-forum-and-hosier-lane-20170925-gyofpl.html

Fresh work from Brisbane born artist Sofles.

Website-https://www.sofles.com/

Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/Sofles-589346427802812/

This artwork is paid for.

Related articles on Hosier Lane

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-25/street-artist-makes-his-mark-on-hosier-lane-blank-canvas/5282336

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/melbourne-city-council-opposes-hosier-lane-hotel-bid-20140504-zr4g6.html

Burn City

Photos of graffiti murals across Melbourne

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2017/dec/01/melbournes-painted-streets-burn-city-melbournes-painted-streets-gallery

Brunswick

Most writers have trouble enough maintaining perspective in a piece let alone a piece over three sides of a wall. Fat, fresh & clean letters. The light blue and pink work well together great colour coordination. Prix using similar style to Lamb one extra fat letter to start the piece.

Snapping the Walls

I meet up with "Snapping the walls" recently in the morning and went on a graff hunting expedition. Did an interview which goes,

How did you become interested in Graffiti and Street Art?
Seeing stuff happening in the city during lunch breaks. Then it became something I sought out. Now a Sunday walkabout is a must.

Inspiration for Graffiti & Street Art?
Subway Art with Martha Cooper the photographer. Kings Way for showing me what I had been missing out on. Project Melbourne Underground for showing me how amazing graffiti could be.

Favorite Writers?
ACM, SDM, ID crews, Sofles, Phibs, too many to name!

Favorite spots to visit?
Hosier Lane, Fitzroy, Collingwood, Brunswick. I'm working my way along the train lines and creeks too.

Street Art vs Graffiti?
In my blog I celebrate whatever goes on a wall. Pieces, throw-ups, characters, tags, cats, portraits, paste ups, stencils, dicks and smiley faces. It takes bravery to get up in the face of possible arrest, beef and criticism.

How do you see graffiti in the future?
The great thing with graff hunting is there can be a surprise around any corner. There has always will be graffiti. Despite what politicians, the police and media think, it will continue. With encouragement it can only get better.

https://www.facebook.com/Snappingthewalls-439493899555990/
http://snappingthewalls.tumblr.com/

Snapping the Walls photos

200th post. Melbourne's finest graffiti

So out of the 9000 odd photos of Melbourne Graffiti that I have, I've selected the 20 best pieces. These are Melbourne's elite graffiti artists. These kids push the boundaries and absolutely smash the living funk out of it. They have been selected on their style, flow, can control, originality, colour coordination and consistency.

 JME, WCA

Rews, ID, ACM

Askm, SDM, ADN

Stopem, CKA, TSF

Shem, RDC, F1, FBA

Break, AFP, MSA

Ends

Peps, CKA

Porno, SDM

Runs, CKA, TSF

WCA stomper

Dvate piece in background with Sigs, Porno, Dvate and ? SDM

Sken, KCD, PBP

Links, WD, DMA

Resume, ID, DB

Style, CKA

Akuze, AFP and Zode AFP, AC

Tame, DMA

Deb

Phibs (Sydney based)