Thought bubbles on Hosier Lane

Lush is one of those unique graffiti artists which is always pushing the conformity envelope open to new ideas and concepts. He often mocks himself through self-deprecating humor. Lushsux his blog on tumblr makes everyone question why does he suck and it deliberately generates attention, subconsciously. He has brought a lot of attention to the scene, which in itself is another blog post. I don't like a lot of his work and think in many ways he perpetuates an all to common misogynistic attitude amongst writers. The sexual objectification of woman in his work, is absoutely fucked up. As a a society we need to be continuously pushing gender equality.

http://lushsux.tumblr.com/

 Mocking the superficial social media world, where everyone needs to take a photo (selfie-wank) to somehow justify their existence in this increasingly homogenized world.

 Making fun of tourists that come to Hosier lane and who don't attempt to understand the culture and just see what is surface deep.

Insecurities of everyday citizens

Graffiti in the Grasslands

Western Melbourne is distinctively different to the East. Prior to European settlement it would have been a spectacular, vast, native grassland with an array of wildflowers during spring. Grasslands since settlement have rapidly deteriorated largely due to agriculture and more recently housing development. Less than 1% of the original grasslands in Victoria remain. The remaining 1% left is critically important as a representation of this natural landscape. 

  What has graffiti got to do with grasslands? Both are outdoors and both occur in the environment. The surrounding environment whether it is built or natural has direct link to the culture of the local graffiti. The Werribee train line is defined by its long distant views of wide open fields. This gives you, a feeling of empty space. Graffiti artists have come along and filled that space, in this case, many industry walls facing the train line. Line-of sight is a major factor in determining where's the best place for graffiti. Directly visible walls from the train are the most valuable and often seized first by the veteran artists  

Slap-up

Stickers or slap-ups are often seen in areas of high pedestrian traffic. Technically its street-art, which is art by the people for the people to see and interpret. Traditional graffiti is done with a spray-can with the intention to fuck with the structure of society. Street-art is undertaken by "radical" arts students avoiding their homework (*jokes). I respect everybody in the business of urban art. The raw element however of "getting up" with a sticker is as easy as piss. The work can be completed in the studio and is on the street sign in seconds.    

Hosier Lane, Melbourne

Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Clifton Hill

Brunswick St, Brunswick

"What a Character!"

In Melbourne, graffiti is more than just tags. These photos are examples of crews that use characters as their tag or calling card. The most infamous is of course is the Cat. Seen in the northern suburbs and particularly inner-west. It takes a lot of technique to develop a character in which you can throw-up quickly.

 Merri Creek, Alien Wizard
The wiz is like an extra terrestrial alien, with quint-essential, Australian cork hat for the funkin blow flies. 

 Brunswick
loving the blue-stone laneways of Melbs plastered with graff

 Brunswick
Graffiti is tasty!

Croydon

Melbourne
This quaint, adorable, character is often seen in and around the suburbs of Melbourne. Nufevah uses a variety of different materials and mediums to put up work. Nufevah works often come with an environmental message attached. Is it a type of whale?

Toys will be toys

Toy in graffiti is a term commonly used for a unskilled writer. Usually an experienced artist will tag the work with toy. Often artists will begin as toys but some are too old to remember what it was like. Over time you develop your style and maybe lose your toy status.

Lush in Fitzroy

Bayswater

Showing strong disrespect to artist by writing on the piece. 

Turf war with toys

One artist has called a piece a toy and then another artist has said "NO WAY".