Larger-than-life murals, artfully decorated posters, spray-painted garbage cans – Melbourne is internationally known for its diverse street art. People from all over the world visit Australia's second-largest city to marvel at the artworks in the streets. The small laneways and side streets are an ideal playground for sprayers and painters. What used to be seen as vandalism has since developed into a recognized and popular art form; even the authorities are promoting street art.
Christopher Hancock, street artist and member of Blender Studios, takes us on a stroll through the city to show us some of the most significant artworks along with his personal favourites.
Stencils are easier to execute and therefore widespread – like this typewriter. They are done by making a stencil from a piece of cardboard, holding it up against the wall and spraying colour over it. "It's a simple way to create the same artwork in many different spots, and by that stay on people's minds," Christopher Hancock explains. "In Australia, this idea is basically tens of thousands of years old. The Aborigines used to trace their handprints with red colour – and used this stencil to let others know that they'd been there."
The sheet of paper in the typewriter is a paste-up, a poster that has been attached with paste. "The advantage is that you can prepare the artwork at home," Christopher Hancock says. And: "If you get caught pasting, you'll only get a fine for littering and not for graffiti, which is punished much more harshly."
Other artists focus on working with sizes. Fintan Magee from Brisbane created this larger-than-life portrait of a man carrying a tree (see image below on the right).
Even more famous is British artist Banksy who made this stencil. "Banksy is the world's most famous street artist. He has made street art into what it is today."
Another famous portrait: The Aboriginal Boy by Melbourne artist Adnate. "The boy's eyes are beautiful, they look so realistic," Christopher Hancock says. "Adnate has captured the physical properties of the eye perfectly: It looks wet and glossy, and it has a reflection."
Like Adnate, Rone is one of the most famous street artists in Melbourne. "His goal is to make walls beautiful that weren't beautiful before. His works are technically outstanding, he's a great craftsman."