Train Graffiti (inside)

Graffiti inside the trains....

Melbourne's Artistic Culture

All graffiti has a element of elegance to me even if its the shit tag on a wall, because it pioneers a spot which can in turn evolve into something bigger. Even if the shit tag remains and sits there, it serves a function/purpose to occupy space. It says hey you... look how I see art differently. Or maybe not even art, it could be destructive vandalism. If art vandalism is what you do, then I say "rock it." 

Ringwood

Talented artist Howie inverts the name in an effort to seek extra attention from the punters.

We live in a society were we are taught "everything can be bought and sold." The truth may hurt but that statement is complete bullshit! Graffiti can neither be bought or sold. The artist/s produce the work but they never own the right to protect it let alone cut the wall out and sell it. Often the community or local authority dictates when the graffiti exhibition is to be obliterated. Once the artwork is gone it will never return, unless the artist persists and restores or recreates it. So in effect every-time a graff wall is buffed the culture behind the wall is somewhat lost and the vibe of an area changes. A artist once said "graffiti is energy." People from all over the world come to Melbourne to Hosier Lane to feed off the vibrant energy seeping off the walls.

Hosier Lane part of the broader Melbourne Arts Culture

Temporary art

Leave a shipping container and a white trailer near a graffiti hub and it will be painted the next day. Someone will tag it and then a throw-up appears which is capped by a piece. Just across the road is the Tepid Baths with over 16 years of accumulated graffiti. Abandoned Tepid Baths video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb09OroNWu4  

Ikoe crew

The stencil of the young kid with the boxing gloves is a metaphor for the many kids fighting to make their mark in the competitive graffiti scene.  

 Queen Tash?? 

Wanna play tag?

Urban spaces are designed to look ugly, kept simple and made functional in a way........ if you want everybody in society to be a slave to the economy. What happened to rest and relaxation, our lives are based on productivity. Every fucking day we're told we aren't spending enough. The system in which we live is designed for us to work our arse's off with little reward. We all get sucked into this capitalistic system which doesn't work and operates only because we let it. Graffiti is part of a number of avenues in this world to culture jam society and take a non conformist approach. Don't feel obliged to follow this apathetic, self centered, me me me way of life. Cities make us think that we are the most important species on planet. Oh look what we built, but humans have next to nothing to be proud of. Australians live in a nation which supports freedom of speech but only if you tell them what they want to hear. If you build a dull city, people are inspired to change their community and make it beautiful. Every bodies interpretation of beautiful is different. I hate most things about human civilization and cities suck and drain resources from all around them to make what we think is progress. But this is the society we have and as homo saipens we are social animals and live and communicate together. That's also not to forget cities are places of concepts, and are gradually changing and experimenting with new dynamic ideas and thoughts. This is mostly why graffiti proliferates in urban areas. A city without graffiti would be bland totalitarian piece of shit 

These photo's make many people think, "well haven't they got something better to do?" You mean take a selfie, update their facebook status, post something on twit-head or watch mind-numbing TV. These walls speak out on behalf of the youths of today, graffiti is just a way for them to channelize their anger about this disjointed society.

Graffiti profiles-Mister (Tas)

A couple of years ago Launceston graffiti artist Mister (MR) took the graffiti community by surprise. This guy's tag was turning up on almost every street corner in the city. The unique tag even turned up on the top of the old grain silos that overlook the city, gaining maximum publicity and notoriety. Mister was also probably one of the few graff artists from Launnie who diversified their art using wheat-pastes and other imagery like a barcode and the 8 ball  alongside a tag. Because he was so prolific in his active years he has left behind a legacy and encouraged others to do so.  

This piece has been buffed (Tas Tafe)

Launceston Sea Wall

Abandoned (Tepid Baths), Hobart

Down on the Southern Island of Australia is the smallest state, Tasmania. Despite only 1/2 million people on this island and 200,000 of those in Hobart, the graffiti scene is well established.

Hobart Graffiti (Tepid Baths)

(Repost)

Sinch lives on.......

Since the death of prominent graffiti writer Sinch, many writer's have taken to the streets to commemorate a dedicated graffiti bomber. 

Noble Park, next to Princes Hwy

Noble Art

You rarely come across walls plastered with tags. The general rule is if you can paint something better cap it. But in this case other writers have respected the tags by not painted over it. 

While society hates tags, graffiti writers admire the hand style used. Graffiti is one of the only art-forms which pushes the boundaries of what is aesthetically pleasing by the confronting, product placement.   

Back lane in Noble Park

Space savers

Graffiti is basically changing the style of the letter-form but keeping the essence of its structure. Graffiti artists do some amazing works in a small limited space. This concrete wall is only about one meter wide and yet 5 letters are squeezed on and the piece remains legible.

Greensborough, Victoria

MR and Yucks in Oakleigh

Bomb

To bomb-to destroy and paint as many places as possible. Faf crew (Fresh as Fuck) tag likes there is no tomorrow. This below is graffiti, dirty with grime, like it should be. No artistic statement just pure vandalism. 

Boronia

Adelaide

I went to Adelaide, South Australia back in July 2012 and stayed a week. This is some of the art in the CBD on display. There's definitely more graffiti around along the train lines.  

Its good to see accomplished roller works about (its a rare sight). 

 This guy whoever they are gets up. This character gives the viewer a somewhat confusing feeling "is it this way or that way?"

Door shows a range of approaches to tagging. From abstract to lasso style. Note the range of different mediums used texta, white out, chalk marker, drip texta, aerosol paint and ?chalk.

Glen Waverley, Melbs.

In Eastern Melbourne is the end of the line station Glen Waverley. There is very few pieces around town however there are some throw-ups. 

However there are numerous shop back doors which are attractive for tags. The different styles and colours add vibrancy to the steel surface.

SR produce a significant quantity of graffiti in Melbourne's East. Dandy line sticker is from KSA (kickin some ass) established way back in 1988. KSA are one of Melbourne's most widespread and productive crews.

These doors are important message board for graffiti artists. This door can tell you, who is active or has been active in this area. There is a range of different skills varying from basic MJP on the bottom to a more detailed Lench, KSA, MR above.

Torres Strait

Travelling through top end of Australia, visited the Torres Strait islands. Its about as far North as you can go in Australia and feels like your in the Pacific islands. Very remote area and some interesting graffiti from the locals. Check it out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5n03lEMA4Y