On the tail end of my recent trip to Melbourne (yes I will stop banging on about my adventures soon enough), we attempted to case some of the street art and lane ways that are on offer.
With my flight leaving earlier than my mystery tour travel buddy Zita from It’s Time, I only managed to taste a small sample but after saying our farewells, Zita made it her mission to track down a few more. You can see her fabulous finds here.
Before I departed, we were lucky enough to stumble on two street artists at work (Poty & Jubz). Seasoned artists who were happy enough to chat and have their photo taken and didn’t seem too perturbed that with no real rules in place in this particular spot, their work could disappear with the flick of a paintbrush or a spray can.
Even though the ugly side to all this has a certain charm, I’m not convinced this kind of street art appeals to me or has a place in the Melbourne CBD. I would much rather see commissioned pieces of substance than tags or graffiti but then again how do you control the uncontrollable factor here? Perhaps there is a method in their madness.
I’m going to have to revisit some of Perth’s street art soon. There have been a number of recent additions and I can’t wait to get my camera out and start exploring my home town.
How gorgeous is my Melbourne mystery tour buddy Zita (above)? I’m still pinching myself that she flew down from Queensland to join me. Zita is heading off on her next big adventure next month to America. I’m so envious.
Now you might have noticed the rude gesture from one of the artists, I’m not entirely sure it wasn’t directed at me but for the most part we were discussing the art itself and how he sees himself and having a bit of a laugh at the time. I tried to put a verbal label on his work and he came up with a non verbal salute to the authorities that be.
If you have a blog post worth casing this week, this is the place to link up. I’m always looking for new blogs to case and support.
NEWS!! I have a lot going on both on the blog and behind the scenes at the moment. Take a moment to have a good look around while you are here and enter my latest GIVEAWAY. If you get the chance head over and case my Facebook and Instagram page, I have some BIG news and I’ve been dropping mysterious, almost annoying hints all week.
What have you been up to this week? Are you a fan of street art?
These are fantastic particularly the elephant one 🙂
Have an artistictastic week 🙂
Yes, the elephant one is more my style. Not a huge fan of the rest but they do make for interesting captures.
Amazing. I love it. There is something about street art that I love. Maybe it is the no-rules aspect of it. Great shots.
They certainly make for interesting captures. Can’t wait to case the latest commissions in Perth. There have been lots of artists at work the last few weeks.
Love graffiti! This is like a hallway heaven!
Yes, I feel the same. I’ve tried to capture that feeling with the narrow lane way shot.
I love how it looks and the cultural expression it adds to Melbourne.
Me too, I wish I’d had more time to hit the other lane ways.
I would probably agree with you. That one guy was certainly looking hostile, but it was neat of you catching him in action as he painted over previous graffiti to add his own. The tree-like lovers was quite unique and probably my favorite artistic piece in the selection. Take care!
I’m calling the tree-like lovers… love is in the air.
You’ve reminded me I need to get out and check out some of our latest street murals too!
I really need to hit the Perth streets again soon. They’ve had so many new pieces go up.
I like the street art but I’m not so keen on the graffiti tags.
I feel the same. If only I’d had more time to explore the other lane ways.
I thought that guy was giving you the finger! He doesn’t look particularly friendly! I do like street art but there are varying degrees of talent. Don’t like tagging and the rubbish stuff done out of disrespect – LOVE the proper street art done legally! Keep banging on about your Melb trip coz then I won’t feel so bad about still banging on about my Tassie trip (so many more photo’s to share yet!!) 😉
He was friendly enough but yes he did have a bit of an attitude about him.
Such vivid photos. There certainly are many talented graffiti artists but I hate seeing vandalism. Commissioned works could harness some of the talent without the public nuisance. Still, it makes for good photos!
I hate seeing the vandalism too.
very cool! I love street art, hate the tagging but love the big pieces. I saw an exhibition of Melbourne street art at the National Art Gallery a couple of years ago, it was fantastic 🙂
I love the big pictures too. More my style. That would have been a fantastic exhibition to see.
I’m a fan of GOOD street art, and there is some starting to pop up all over Perth!
I can’t wait to get out and about exploring the new street art popping up in Perth. I’ve seen snippets which are rather impressive.
It has been a really long time since i went to Melbourne. Love your showcase of Street Art
Thanks Dominique. I’m hoping to head back to Melbourne soon. I had so much fun on this trip.
Love the photos!! I’ve often wanted to do this myself. Looking forward to reading all the blogs this week. Some great new topics out there. Lauren @canberramummy:disqus
Thanks Lauren. I’m playing catch up this week but hope to pop over and case your blog soon.
street art adds a vibrancy to a city and brightens up some of the dark corners. I wish these young artists could be mentored to direct their art in a more legitimate way. We have some new street art in Bunbury – a public art program – which I think really brings art to the people.
We are planning a trip down to Bunbury soon, so will have to check the art program out.
they have certainly embraced street art in Melbourne raych!
one guy from art school went on to mentor/teach kids in tafe who were already graffiti artists!
I’d like to see them develop their works more!
ofcourse each one has their own signature/tag!interesting! … love m:)X
I’d like to see them develop the work more as well. I’m hitting Perth this weekend and casing the new street art. Can’t wait.
Unfortunately we don’t have a lot of street art here in Newcastle – more of the graffiti variety here, but it’s good to see other cities where street art can thrive and grow.
I’m surprised Newcastle haven’t embraced street art. Do Sydney have dedicated areas?
The people who do the street art make it look so simple. But it’s so difficult to scale the projects up like that, and then go around corners and still have it look good! I guess if you want your art to stay, take a ladder and paint up high!!! Great shots Raych!
Where in America is she going?
Oh good question Mary. Starting with a couple of days in New York and then heading to Nashville for the music festival and I think Zita may be heading to Canada afterwards.
That is absolutely magnificent street art. I enjoyed looking through your photos. The first picture was especially stunning.
Thanks. I just wish I’d had more time to find the real art.
Wow I have not seen graffiti art like this before. You are right worth casing next time you go!!
I will have to research it more and be more organised next time round.
haha…I didn’t notice him do that while you were taking piccies!! Thanks for the shout outs and the weekend, still pinch myself sometimes!
I wasn’t entirely sure he was joking around or just fed up with my questions at the time. We quickly moved on after that.
I adore Melbourne BECAUSE of the art. Just so amazing. x
I can’t wait to head back and do more exploring.
I LOVE the laneway street art in Melbourne! It’s the best!
I really wish I’d dedicated more time to researching the lanes before I arrived. We were on a very tight schedule and I would have loved to have found more.
love all that street art – i keep meaning to get out in brisbane and capture some. laughed at the artist giving you the finger. what an adventure you had in Melbourne – been reading your posts (you were so so busy in such a short time)
I honestly can’t believe just how much we managed to fit in. Such a wonderful adventure and I can’t wait to do it all again. I’m hoping to head to Brisbane for a mystery tour later in the year.
I think I walked down that same laneway when I was in Melbourne at the start of this month… Carsons Lane if I remember correctly! I absolutely loved all the amazing street art in Melbourne, some of the best I saw was in Fitzroy residential streets and lanes. In fact I love just about everything about Melbourne… but maybe not quite enough to join the mass exodus of 20-somethings from Perth just yet.
There are three lanes in the pictures above. I think one might have been Carsons. Will have to check with Zita.
I wondered about that gesture. Some of the street artists are so talented – I don’t mind art on drary walls but not the tags and obsenities . Oh how lovely about Zita.
Having Zita join me was the biggest highlight. I’m convinced I wouldn’t have fitted so much in had I gone on my own. There would have been far too much work and not enough play.