Rachel Lackenmier, the School of Visual Arts Down Under Visual Arts in Sydney 2015-16 student blogger, writes:
Photo Credit: Molly Basilio
We are now more than halfway through our program here in Sydney and unfortunately the rain has followed us from State College. It’s a good thing we’re used to the crazy and ever-changing weather and we all came prepared for a day-long trek through the rain to learn about Sydney’s public art with Cameron McAuliffe and Heather, a street artist who goes by the handle Mini Graff.
Photo Credit: Molly Basilio
We began the day sheltered form the rain in our hotel where Cameron presented a lecture about the politics of public art and the differences between street art and graffiti. In street art, each artist has a unique style making it recognizable without having to tag the work. Some of the work that is put up is sanctioned by the government, while other work isn’t, but from an outsider’s prospective there is no way to tell which is which.
Our tour of the street art began in the alleyways of Oxford Street where we saw countless walls covered in vibrant designs. Some of the walls include large dark bubble letters known as ‘throw up’ which were not part of the original sanctioned street art.
Photo Credit: Molly Basilio
Here is a photo of a very interesting and eye catching building in the LGBTQ community of Sydney. It reads “always was always will be” and was sanctioned by the government to be exhibited for a year as a form of public art. That year came and went and several years later the building still stands looking as beautiful as ever. This is a perfect example of how street art is asset to the community.
Photo Credit: Molly Basilio
We concluded our day in Newtown where we saw great pieces including the one to the right by Lister, one of the most well-known street artists in Sydney.
Although it rained for the entire duration of our tour, it was amazing to learn about the public art of Sydney with two professionals who know so much about graffiti and street art. Now when I see graffiti on street lights and walls in cities I’ll understand that they’re works of art and not just something to be buffed out and painted over.
XOXO,
Rachael
