The graffiti gallery

There’s an industrial site in Balmain that has been repurposed as a park and within that park there is a natural gallery space. It has been put aside for graffiti artists and the collection of works here probably represents a survey of local graffiti art quite well. 

They have laid down their hand. ‘This is what we do. This is the sum of our capacity. We live by it and the messaging built within the works stands for what we believe. 

Because there are no distractions here, the work speaks for itself. The work has been tightly curated. There is a secret heirarchy and messaging I cannot decipher, but the works are laid out side by side with an almost military precision with everything in its place. This is a compliant orderly showcase for anarchy. There are signs warning unapproved additions are illegal.

Because there is no significant anarchic population in Balmain, the ‘gallery’ reading is amplified. The application of a painted ground unites all the works. Each piece reads as a visualised breakdance. It’s as much a show as an exhibition. It’s worth writing up here. A big effort deserves acknowledgement especially when it brings pleasure. This writing about it will increase audience. That is writing’s purpose.