Stencil Graffiti Capital of the WORLD

You may not be a fan of the fat, spray painted lettering on the side of the highway or on the door of the bathroom stall, but you should be a fan of Stencil Graffiti that is ART.

Sure, it may be on the side of a building or under a bridge, but it is a form of actual creative expression.  This is much different than tagging, a term often wrongly used as a synonym for graffiti art.

 On the other side of the world, my favorite side, there is a city named Melbourne (rhymes with airborne, NOT mel-bin) on the south east side of Australia.  This city is a sporting mecca, a swirl of small streets with unique eateries and boutiques and a canvas to top stencil graffiti artists in the world.

While there has been laws attempting to outlaw this activity, with a Zero Tolerance Policy, it has become such an iconographic mark on the city that artists refuse to stop and some store owners even sell the sides of their property or hire artists to fill the space.

 As an advertiser/marketer, I see a serious flaw with the local government trying to STOP graffiti.  Every city wants to be marketable so that they can rake in money through tourism.  While Melbourne has more to offer than its colored walls, it wouldn't be the same without them.  

Secret DISCLAIMER: Advertisers don't change brands to fit the customer, they change the customer to fit the brand.  

The city is what it is and naturally evolved into the street art capital of the world for a reason, and the city government shouldn't try to change that fact.  Instead, they should embrace what they have to offer and roll with it. After all, it's working.       

  A book has even been created cataloging some of the best work by world famous artists like Banksy and local talent.

 Last Spring, I had the honor of swerving in and out of small alleys and main streets, Hosier Lane and Centre Place being the most notable, to discover some of the beautiful street art.  While we took a tour to see some of the best stuff, it's unavoidable and no secret if you wish to explore on your own.  The energy in Melbourne is exciting and engaging since you constantly feel connected to its people and subculture.  

The stencil graffiti is nothing but inspiring.

While most people travel to Australia to see the Great Barrier Reef or the Opera House in Sydney, I have never met someone who regrets spending time in Melbourne.  Don't tell anyone in Sydney I said this (the rivalry is INTENSE), but I MUCH rather go back to Melbourne.  Words and pictures do it no justice, it's an insatiable experience.  As Melbournites would say, "Would needs the Harbor Bridge when your city has soul?"

 One street artist justifies his mark saying, "I don't want to live in a city that's really bland and covered in grey and brown and advertising. I never said it was OK to put a billboard on the top of Brunswick Street, so who's to say that I can't put up a small A4 size image in a back laneway?"  

I think he's on to something...

So, street art might not be your thing but don't knock it.  Modern art isn't my thing and I'm not about to go around saying those people aren't artists.  I think Melbourne is what it is and has the heart it does because of its colorful facade.  I hope it stays this way, if not more artistically masked, so I can visit these streets once again.