Art v. vandalism: the graffiti debate
Corinna Hente

Photo essay by ALEXIS BEAUMONT

When it come to graffiti, what is art for some is vandalism for others – illegal, yet also valued as  "street art". The author, political activist and graffiti artist known as Banksy explored the issue in his novel Wall and Piece, describing graffiti as a “mechanism of artistic expression and a way to make the world a better place”.

Inspired by Banksy’s text, this photo essay aims to present both sides of the debate. The images tell a story of graffiti in two forms – tagging and piece work – highlighting its diversity and its ability to act as a communication, social interaction, messaging and a tourist attraction. The photographs were taken in May across Melbourne.


  1. Two Forms

RINGWOOD – An anonymous graffiti artist paints the side of a building in the suburbs. His work differs from existing graffiti on the wall as he paints a "piece" using block lettering, multiple colours and shapes to create a bolder image. "Tagging" (a single coloured signature or scribble) is another form of graffiti. Tags surround the graffiti artist’s work.


  1. Vandalism

FOOTSCRAY  – An electrical pole defaced with graffiti tags in the centre of Footscray. Tagging is viewed by communities as vandalism, forming a prejudice against graffiti as a practice. However, this view is often constructed without community members considering the second form of graffiti (piecing). Therefore individual opinions are often misconceived, having never considered the artistic component of the practice.


  1. Hosier Lane

CBD – Hosier Lane is one of Melbourne’s most popular tourist attractions and is famous for the array of colourful graffiti pieces splashed across its brick walls. Painting graffiti in the lane is illegal, but millions of people each year travel to Melbourne’s graffiti-famous laneways to appreciate the works.


  1. Tourist Attraction

CBD – Visiting Hosier Lane and other well-known laneways around the city, it’s normal to find artists in action, crowds of people with cameras, tour groups and empty spray cans littered on the kerb. Melbourne’s graffiti laneways have created a tourist attraction the city is proud to proclaim.


  1. Will You Marry Me

CBD – A lone painter works silently in Hosier Lane below the city-famous "will you marry me" graffiti piece above. His choice of location marks the spot where a woman was proposed to via graffiti.


  1. Feet

CBD – The lone painter hears nothing as he works in complete concentration, shielded by the blast of his headphone music. Cans stand along the step, the tools used to construct his masterpiece. Creating a work of art on the wall, he fails to notice a photographer at his feet.


  1. Travelling Painter

CBD – Not far from the lone painter, a travelling painter works in ACDC Lane – another Melbourne laneway famous for its graffiti display. The travelling painter moves from country to country, marking his territory with spray cans in the major cities he visits. Encouraging passing individuals to assist with his piece, the travelling painter uses graffiti as a way to engage with the communities he visits and demonstrates how graffiti can be a social activity for all to enjoy.


  1. Suitcase

CBD – Busy city-goers rush past graffiti on the road of ACDC Lane, missing its environmental message. Graffiti does not have to exist on walls. An artist has used stencils and spray paint to create a meaningful piece that says:  “bin ya butts babes & boys”. Graffiti can have purpose and meaning, communicating the artist’s opinion and message.


  1. Melbourne

CBD – A commissioned piece by well-known graffiti artist Steen Jones famously animates a lifeless building in ACDC Lane. Adding colour and light to a blank brick wall, Jones’ piece brings beauty and creativity to an otherwise dark and shaded corner of the laneway.

  1. Balaclava

RINGWOOD – The anonymous graffiti artist (featured in Two Forms, above) requested to remain anonymous as he has faced previous convictions relating to vandalism and graffiti. He wears a balaclava to mask his face as he continues to graffiti suburban walls daily, painting colourful pieces and tagging his pseudonym "amuse".