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In pictures: A walk down Melbourne’s best-known lane for street art and graffiti

Hosier Lane, located in the central business district, is arguably where the Australian city’s street-art culture gets its fame

Karo Christine Kumar Published 21.02.23, 03:54 PM
In many ways, Hosier Lane is the emblem of Melbourne’s diversity and fierce creativity. The lane is located in the city’s central business district (CBD), adjacent to Forum Theatre and across Federation Square
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In many ways, Hosier Lane is the emblem of Melbourne’s diversity and fierce creativity. The lane is located in the city’s central business district (CBD), adjacent to Forum Theatre and across Federation Square

All images by Karo Christine Kumar
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Hundreds of tourists walk down the cobbled laneway every day to see the colourful creations on the walls and windows, ‘wheelie’ bins and drain pipes
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Hundreds of tourists walk down the cobbled laneway every day to see the colourful creations on the walls and windows, ‘wheelie’ bins and drain pipes

Each time you visit Hosier Lane, it is bound to look different as the art is constantly changing. You will find street art, graffiti, stencil art, mural painting, paste-ups and installations
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Each time you visit Hosier Lane, it is bound to look different as the art is constantly changing. You will find street art, graffiti, stencil art, mural painting, paste-ups and installations

There is something about graffiti that appeals to the rebel in all of us. It’s non-conformist, bold, and often the voice of the unheard. While the terms ‘graffiti’ and ‘street art’ are often used interchangeably, there are significant differences. Graffiti is done without permission and is word-based, while street art is usually commissioned or painted with permission and is image-based
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There is something about graffiti that appeals to the rebel in all of us. It’s non-conformist, bold, and often the voice of the unheard. While the terms ‘graffiti’ and ‘street art’ are often used interchangeably, there are significant differences. Graffiti is done without permission and is word-based, while street art is usually commissioned or painted with permission and is image-based

This poster of Monga Khan is a part of ‘What is a Real Aussie?’ campaign by street artist Peter Drew. Around 100 years ago, Khan, a camel driver from Pakistan, applied for an exemption from the White Australia Policy. “This project aims to reimagine his life as a symbol for all those who survived the White Australia Policy. By sharing his story we can begin to revitalise what it means to be ‘Aussie’,” writes Drew on his website
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This poster of Monga Khan is a part of ‘What is a Real Aussie?’ campaign by street artist Peter Drew. Around 100 years ago, Khan, a camel driver from Pakistan, applied for an exemption from the White Australia Policy. “This project aims to reimagine his life as a symbol for all those who survived the White Australia Policy. By sharing his story we can begin to revitalise what it means to be ‘Aussie’,” writes Drew on his website

Inked walls and inked skin
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Inked walls and inked skin

The street art continues down Rutledge Lane, which horseshoes back to Hosier Lane; (Right) The homeless of Hosier Lane
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The street art continues down Rutledge Lane, which horseshoes back to Hosier Lane; (Right) The homeless of Hosier Lane

Apart from the art, the other quirky thing that will catch your eye are the many shoes that hang overhead
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Apart from the art, the other quirky thing that will catch your eye are the many shoes that hang overhead

Art is all about reading the lines… and sometimes between them. Many people feel that Hosier Lane lost its charm after vandals black-buffed the walls in 2020 (some people called that art too) but the lane remains one of the top tourist attractions in Australia’s cultural capital
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Art is all about reading the lines… and sometimes between them. Many people feel that Hosier Lane lost its charm after vandals black-buffed the walls in 2020 (some people called that art too) but the lane remains one of the top tourist attractions in Australia’s cultural capital

After you’ve soaked in the colours and chaos of the street art, stop by (in picture) ‘MoVida Next Door’ for tapas and wine, or raise a toast to the city’s artists with margaritas and prawn-and-chorizo tamales at Tres a Cinco. Some of the other street art laneways to visit in Melbourne are AC/DC Lane, Meyers Place, Gallaghers Place and Guildford Road
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After you’ve soaked in the colours and chaos of the street art, stop by (in picture) ‘MoVida Next Door’ for tapas and wine, or raise a toast to the city’s artists with margaritas and prawn-and-chorizo tamales at Tres a Cinco. Some of the other street art laneways to visit in Melbourne are AC/DC Lane, Meyers Place, Gallaghers Place and Guildford Road

RELATED TOPICS

Travel Street Art Melbourne Graffiti Australia
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