The Benefits of Street Art

Painting intricate pictures on walls is nothing new and has been done since the dawn of man, but the culture of street art has been building up in Melbourne for decades. Streets have become a Melbourne heritage, like Ac/Dc Lane, Hosier lane and Union Lane. Melbourne is known across the world for its beautifully sprayed streets, and I believe that this has become part of our identity. I know I personally feel that graffiti and street art are part of my life and have been influenced by them for nearly my whole life as I have grown up around them and have realized I would not feel at home without them

Graffiti can also bring people together as opinions can be represented anonymously. Artists like Banksy in England utilize this anonymity to great affect, with fast murals dedicated to social issues and injustices. But graffiti can also allow people with no other alternative to express them selves and allows many people a way to relax, and make their surroundings more comfortable. Melbourne is renowned for being multicultural, and this can be seen in many differences in street art. Because art can also be an excellent way to express ones culture and show others their opinion through different perspectives. Take the difference between Craigieburn and Brunswick. On Sydney road there is this massive mural of the Greek Flag, due to our large Greek descendant population. However in Craigieburn, whose population has majority of Indian heritage, features more of a blend of Hindu and Buddhist style art pieces that I viewed when i have played hockey there.

I asked a Fitzroy resident about what she thought of street art. " I like the fact when ever I go for a walk I see something new that was not there the day before, its like, when you're walking around, you'll never know whats new around the next corner." Its sad to see something you've gotten fond of gone, but always interesting and fascinating to see whats new. There is a certain thrill when you walk around your neighborhood and don't know what you'll find.