Melbourne has claimed the number one position globally for street art.
The city now leads the Street Art Cities database, with 3662 masterpieces recorded.
Three dedicated Melburnians drove this remarkable achievement. Neda Nikolic, Andrew Haysom and Lia Arraiano mapped thousands of murals across Melbourne over two years.
Street Art Cities
Melbourne reached number one position for total street art in May
Platform accepts only select hunters with adequate photography skills
Database maps street art across cities worldwide
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
The Victorian trio told The Age Melbourne was severely underrepresented on Street Art Cities. This platform serves as the world’s largest online urban art community. They decided to change that ranking dramatically.
Their efforts proved incredibly successful. Melbourne jumped from 43rd place in July 2023 to claim the top spot. The team contributed 3272 works to the global database.
Melbourne’s street art scene has transformed significantly over recent decades. The underground graffiti subculture dominated the 1980s and 1990s. Stencil art experienced massive growth during the Banksy boom of the 2000s.
Major murals gained prominence throughout the 2010s. This evolution created the current vibrant street art landscape. The city’s residents take immense pride in their prolific urban art culture.
Keith Haring’s installation at Collingwood Yards marked a pivotal moment. The famed New York artist’s work helped kickstart large-scale murals across Melbourne. This heritage-listed piece remains significant in the city’s street art history.
The mapping project required extensive photography and documentation skills. Street Art Cities maintains strict quality standards for contributors. Only approved hunters can add works to the comprehensive database.
Melbourne’s rise demonstrates the city’s incredible artistic output. Local and international artists continue creating stunning works across the metropolitan area.
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