It may not be the MCG or Federation Square but Hosier Lane has come to represent Melbourne just as much as these iconic structures.
The small side street in the heart of the CBD is filled with the vibrant colours and creative images that have made Melbourne’s street art scene internationally renowned.
Along with Rutledge Lane, Hosier Lane is the spiritual home of street art in Melbourne but the scene is scattered throughout the CBD and the Melbourne psyche.
Artist and cultural researcher Dr Lachlan MacDowall says that Melbourne’s street art culture has continued to evolved and represent Melbourne internationally.
“It [street art] has become more and more popular and mainstream, more professionalised and more tied to elements of commerce,” Dr MacDowall said.
“Over the last decade Melbourne has developed a significant international profile for street art, alongside cities such as New York, Berlin, Paris and Barcelona”.
Melbourne’s street art culture has not only boosted its international reputation but has had local benefits.
The City council offers permits to artists and is currently running street art tours.
Street art can also be a platform to launch the careers of emerging artists.
“There are some artists who work very successfully across street art, contemporary art and community-based projects such as Ash Keating,” Dr MacDowall said.
“However, there are still significant divisions, barriers and differences between how art works in these three areas are produced, consumed and valued.”
Regardless of its assumed value, street art continues to be a draw-card for locals and tourists alike.
“Images of street art in laneways are often used as a stand-in for cultural vibrancy and broader desirable characteristics of a city,” Dr Macdowall said.
“Tourists often come to Melbourne to see street art generically rather than any particular piece.”
View Melbourne’s Street art Scene in a larger map
