40 hour week

Graffiti sits in our peripheral vision. Often just behind us, above us or in front of us and yet we still don't see it. Through the clutter of traffic and the silence amongst noise is art scattered in precarious positions. This building just behind the Bank has become the perfect spot to paint. Long sweeping views downslope provides the pedestrian with a cinematic experience. Amongst the work is internationally famous, US based former couple Utah and Ether from their 2016 spray-cation. To beggars belief a series of old Bonez throw-ups from 70K crew potentially circa early 2000's.   

 

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

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.  

 

 

Utah & Ether

Throws from the worlds biggest graffiti couple Utah & Ether

                                    Smith St
                                     

Spot the Nost

Can you find the 3 and 1/2 Nost Pieces in this photo?

Hugh Dunit

Renowned Melbourne artist from 1980's. Using the moniker Hugh Dunnit to say who done it (graffiti)? Known as a king from his era. Some pieces remain, but many have been painted over. He was a pioneer, making use of high accessible walls, inaccessible to buffers to produce heavens (pieces above ground, usually on rooftops or buildings).

For more photos http://graffitiphotofreaks.tripod.com/Graffiti_Photofreaks/id33.html

Richmond

Hobart's in Heaven

Heaven-a high or hard to reach place to display your graffiti. Heavens are highly regarded amongst the graffiti community because they display dedication. Heavens tend to last for a long time. Most people ignore graffiti and never look up and see the fabulous artwork.   

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.

Blackburn South

Throw-up on top of the shops in Blackburn South. This is different to most throw-ups; it doesn't have the rough and raw element. It does have the commonly used bubble style element. F is a difficult letter to work with in graffiti however it appears to be well executed and original. June 2014