POST A- Art on the Wall: Street Art

The relation between an street artist and his or her artwork is seen as an revolt towards a higher power, this post would show this phenomena through evident similarities between the two different cities of Jakarta, Indonesia and Melbourne, Australia on the two well known cities that encourages street art in their own sense. These views are portrayed through the comparison of the lifestyle lived by the street artists to bring change in a political and lifestyle inspired artistry.

Just to clarify, ‘Graffiti’ and ‘Street Art’ are two different genres. The lateral focuses and follows the true meaning of Art, which is …”an experession or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power” (Oxford Dictionary, 2015). In this case the focus is on emotional power one which has been capsulated and has helped build Indonesia back from their harsh experience of oppressive colonialism in World War II. Although Street Art wasn’t invented then, the paintings produced by the artists at the time in the likes of “Affandi Soedjono and others — passionately striving to portray what was truly Indonesian” (Forshee 2006, p 60). This same effect of protistic image are applied today which are evident in the streets of Jakarta, portraying negativism that still lurks among the populous and their government.

Muriel painting by the Street artists Bujangan Urban

In Jakarta and in many parts of Indonesia, street art is encouraged by the community and collaborated with the artists to focus on a specific theme which highlights a certain problem or issue being faced, this is seen as an “effect of street art communities interacting with the community”(MOCA 2013, 5:52) it is seen as an symbolism of power to make change to give sense of hope for the people. In comparison the street art interaction at Housier Lane and other similar streets in Melbourne follows the creative skill and imagination of the artist. As “David Hurlston, the curator of Australian art at the National Gallery of Victoria, says our street art — recognised internationally mainly for aerosol and stencil works — is arguably “the most distinctly identifiable cultural and contemporary artistic movement to have occurred in Australia over the past 30 years” (Sydney Morning Hereld, N. Rousseau 2012) and preserved as a National Heritage site to be viewed by tourists from in and out of the country. Some of the artworks includes that of internationally recognised street artists like that of the works of Banksy and his stencil art piece the Little Diver.

The ‘Little Diver’ by Banksy can be viewed in Cocker Alley, off Flinders Lane, Melbourne. The stencil has been protected by a clear perspex screen.

As the saying goes “a picture speaks a thousand words”, and street art can be viewed as a voice that louden the cries of the people, to express ideas, expand ones imagination, and sometimes to make you feel inspired. It is important that we hear them all and encourage preserving them.