Lush in disguise for his interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
If you hate graffiti, you may be surprised to learn that one of Australia's most prominent graffiti artists is largely in agreement.
"To be honest I hate 99 per cent of it as well, because it's trash," says Lush.
When the world's most famous graffiti artist Banksy opened his short-lived 'theme park' Dismaland in England last August, Lush was the only Australian artist invited to contribute.
Much of Lush's work is illegal and so he goes to great lengths to protect his identity — adopting an elaborate disguise for his on-camera interview with 7.30.
Now Lush is just one of more than 330 artists taking part in a huge collaborative graffiti project which has transformed the appearance of the Geelong Powerhouse.
The Powerhouse has attracted 38,000 visitors in the six months since it opened to the public.
Lush introduced fellow graffiti artist Rone to the Powerhouse project.
One of the most celebrated contributing artists to the Geelong Powerhouse, Rone, was keen to do a project in the town where he grew up.
And while increasing mainstream appeal sees graffiti artists becoming celebrated and sought after professional artists, Rone doesn't think all graffiti should be legalised.
"There's something about it being illegal," he says.
"It usually brings out the more determined artist."
From humble beginnings painting street graffiti, Rone's giant murals of women's faces now hang in the National Gallery of Australia and adorn major buildings in America and Europe.
"I went down there and basically I said, 'can I paint the side with all the broken windows?" Rone told 7.30.
"No one wanted to paint that side, because it's almost impossible to paint."
"It looks like something out of Detroit, this post-apocalyptic setting."
Ian Ballis
Curator Ian Ballis says he was surprised by the interest from the public.
"Since we opened to the public ... I couldn't work out why there was so much of a flood," he says.
"Then I realised that every artist has got four or five thousand followers.
"You do the maths."
Sushi Cat was done by Ohnoes, 6Seta and Staying Cheative at the Geelong Powerhouse. (Karyn Wood)
This piece by graffiti artist Bronte is displayed at the Geelong Powerhouse. (Karyn Wood)
'He nailed it' Geelong's Powerhouse curator Ian Ballis thinks that graffiti artist Rone's artwork is beautiful. (Karyn Wood)
Graffiti artist Rone returns to his Geelong roots to paint a mural on the Powerhouse.(Karyn Wood)
Light bulb man by graffiti artist Heesco is displayed at Geelong Powerhouse. (Karyn Wood)
www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-15/graffiti-artists-gain-global-acclaim/7091162
