G'day all,
Want to learn more about street art in Melbourne CBD? Well good, because we've just finished a 3 hour tour of some of Melbourne's quirkiest corners and coolest laneways. Fancy yourself a bit of a Banksy? Then keep reading...
Book your CBD street art tour here
The street art tour for Melbourne CBD meets in Federation Square, you are immediately made to feel comfortable and welcome. This 3 hour guided tour is led by a local street artist who clearly dislikes the police, once the 3 hours are up there is a nice cold beverage and some snacks waiting at Blender Studios for you. You are invited to hang out watching the artists do their thang.
Navigating through the famous Hosier and Rutledge lanes you are given a world of inside information on the politics behind street art and the process as a whole. I also learned the technical aspects involved in street art, differentiating between spray painting, stencil art and paste-ups.
My tip is dress warm in the Winter months, the lanes don't get much sun, wandering around for 3 hours feeling cold is no fun! And bring a snack, a cereal bar or banana and you're gold.
We spotted some original work from Banksy, Lush and above you see a mosaic from the world's most famous street artist Space Invader.
I loved the fact the tour group was mixed, people from all walks of life looking to learn more of this once stigmatised art. I asked the older couple on the tour what made them decide to pick this tour, they explained they knew very little and see all street art as graffiti. At the end of the tour they felt very differently about street art.
Melbourne is famous for it's arcades and lane ways, just around every corner there is a treat for your eyes waiting to be discovered. The City of Melbourne provides space for legal street art and commissioned work, you will see side by side an array of colours and creativity keeping CBD vibrant and unique.
My favourite part of the tour was when some dude was painting the piece below, a tourist paid (commissioned) him to ask his girl to marry him. #Engagement goals!
Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable
This tour is not just for people interested in learning more of the street art scene in Melbourne, it's a great excuse to walk around the beautiful CBD meeting some pretty interesting folks, the beer at the end is a bonus.
Leaving the tour it was clear to me why Melbourne is named one of the most important and influential destinations for street art.
Book your CBD street art tour here
See you next time for another adventure! 🙂
Claire