Fitzroy street murals Melbourne for Mural Monday

 

Though somewhat daunting to behold, these nevertheless offer a faithful representation of the area. I am presently in the Sydney Central Business District, where the conference has coincided with the Vivid Sydney light festival. I expect to remain out for the greater part of each evening. It has been almost impossible to make booking of the hotels. 

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FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Mural Monday

I am currently watching a new Australian drama on Netflix entitled Survivors. It is truly a pleasure to hear the familiar Australian accent and behold the well-known landscapes. One cannot help but feel there ought to be more locally produced programmes of this kind. Joel has suggested that I subscribe to Stan, which, he assures me, offers a wide array of Australian series, including those in the Walking undead series. He appears to advocate for nearly every available pay television platform.

Nullawil Silo Art, Victoria Australia for Mural Monday

 

The Nullawil Silo Art, located in the small rural town of Nullawil in Victoria, is part of the renowned Australian Silo Art Trail. Completed in July 2019 by street artist Smug (Sam Bates), the mural features a striking and realistic depiction of a farmer and his working kelpie dog. The artwork celebrates the strong bond between rural Australians and their working dogs, symbolizing themes of resilience, community, and country life.

Painted on a disused grain silo, the mural has become a cultural and tourist landmark, drawing visitors to the otherwise quiet town. It reflects both artistic excellence and the spirit of regional Australia, contributing to the growing movement of turning industrial structures into large-scale public art. The Nullawil silo is praised for its incredible detail, lifelike quality, and emotional warmth.

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FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Mural Monday

Upon returning home to Bendigo, I discovered that a fuse in the motherboard had likely blown. The house, being quite old, has required increasingly frequent maintenance, and the costs have begun to accumulate significantly over the years. It seems that last month’s wages will once again be consumed by repairs. Small wonder, then, that so many around us have resigned themselves to merely “lying flat,” doing only the bare minimum to keep the machine of life running.

Fitzroy St Murals for Mural Monday

 

These photographs, taken during my former wanderings through the storied precincts of Fitzroy in Melbourne, form a modest yet treasured archive of days past. Though some images have weathered time gracefully and others appear worn or unrefined, each holds a certain charm for me—vestiges of solitary afternoons spent observing the character of the city through the lens of my camera.

Fitzroy, long regarded as Melbourne’s cradle of bohemian culture, has earned renown for its vibrant and often provocative street art. From the 1970s onwards, its laneways and brick facades became the canvas for an evolving urban dialogue—first through political slogans and stencil art, and later through intricate murals and large-scale commissions that drew artists from across the globe. The suburb’s walls speak in colour and form, telling stories of rebellion, community, and cultural transformation.

In such an environment, every corner bore the potential for artistic revelation. My photowalks, humble though they were, sought to capture fleeting intersections between light, decay, and expression. Some of the images reflect this energy vividly; others merely hint at it. Regardless of composition or clarity, these photographs are to me what relics are to a historian: fragments that, when assembled, speak not only of place, but of time and of one’s quiet presence within it.

They may not all gleam with technical finesse, but they are, in their own right, memory’s keepsakes—witness to an era in which Fitzroy’s streets breathed with defiant creativity and untamed spirit.

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Sigma 17mm f4 

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Barham NSW Water Tower Art for Mural Monday

 

I frequently journeyed through Barham, New South Wales, situated just beyond the northern border of Victoria. Recently, the town’s silo was adorned with a splendid work of art, masterfully completed by the artist who undertook the Barham Silo project. I find the artistic touch both inspiring and deeply evocative, adding a remarkable cultural dimension to the rural landscape.

The recently completed mural on the Barham water tower in New South Wales stands as a testament to the artistic prowess of Gus Eagleton, a distinguished Australian muralist renowned for his large-scale public artworks. Completed in April 2025, this monumental piece is part of the River Country Art Trail, an initiative that brings vibrant art to regional communities. Eagleton's decade-long career in contemporary muralism is marked by a keen ability to intertwine local narratives with striking visual elements, thereby enriching the cultural tapestry of the locales he engages with. His work in Barham not only enhances the town's visual landscape but also reflects its unique identity and community spirit.

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FE 20-70mm f4 G

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St Arnaud Silo Arts for Mural Monday

 

I once travelled frequently through the town of St Arnaud en route to my professional duties in Horsham. However, with the advent of telehealth—and the subsequent expiration of all referrals—I no longer have cause to visit this part of Victoria. In earlier times, I would often pause to explore the local shops and, on occasion, take quiet delight in the region’s artistic offerings, including the striking silo art that lends the town its distinctive charm.

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FE 20-70mm f4 G

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Hosier Lane Graffiti for Mural Monday

 

In earlier years, I found little appeal in these murals and graffiti; their aesthetic did not resonate with me. Yet, time alters perception. Now, with a changed eye and amidst the evolving discourse on public art and civic expression—particularly in a place as politically charged as Hosier Lane in Melbourne—I find myself regarding them anew. What once seemed chaotic now appears as a layered dialogue between artist, space, and society.

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FE 35mm f1.4 GM

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The election over the weekend proved to be quite a nuisance. The traffic was excessively congested, and every car park was fully occupied. Labour has secured a second term in office. However, I remain uncertain about how the government's extensive expenditure on healthcare will be sustainable in the long term. According to the Australian Financial Times, there are concerns that Australia may follow in the footsteps of Greece, facing bankruptcy due to excessive welfare spending, coupled with a lack of manufacturing and economic output.

While Joel and I were at Rabbit Rock, he persuaded me to invest in additional physical gold. We certainly find ourselves living in intriguing times.

Murals in Fitzroy for Mural Monday

 

Fitzroy Murals are vibrant and hippie. 

Fitzroy, Melbourne's oldest suburb, has transformed into a vibrant canvas of street art, reflecting its evolution from a working-class area to a bohemian hub. Its laneways and building facades are adorned with an eclectic mix of murals, graffiti, and installations by both local and international artists. Notable works include the iconic 1984 Keith Haring mural on Johnston Street, the photorealistic portraits by Smug, and the intricate blue patterns of Lucas Grogan. Artists like Rone and Adnate have also left their mark, contributing to the suburb's dynamic and ever-changing art scene. Streets such as Brunswick, Smith, and Gertrude, along with hidden alleys, offer a free, open-air gallery that celebrates creativity and cultural expression.

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FE 24mm f1.4 GM

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Notes from a podcast

1.          Genuine Confidence: People are drawn to those who are secure in themselves without being arrogant. Confidence shows through body language, tone of voice, and how someone carries themselves. 

2.          Active Listening: Truly paying attention when someone speaks, asking follow-up questions, and showing interest in others’ stories makes people feel valued and appreciated.

3.          Empathy and Understanding: Being able to relate to others’ feelings and perspectives builds trust and deepens connections.

4.          Positive Body Language: Open gestures, eye contact, and a warm smile can instantly make you more approachable and likable.

5.          Authenticity: Being true to yourself instead of trying to fit into someone else’s expectations resonates with people. Authenticity often comes across as refreshing and trustworthy.

6.          Humor and Playfulness: A good sense of humor and the ability to not take yourself too seriously makes interactions light-hearted and enjoyable.

7.          Generosity of Spirit: Complimenting others genuinely, being kind without expecting something in return, and celebrating others’ successes foster goodwill.

8.          Consistency and Reliability: Being dependable and keeping your word builds respect and trust over time.

9.          Non-Judgmental Attitude: People feel safer and more comfortable around those who don’t pass judgment easily and create an accepting environment.

10.        Passion and Enthusiasm: Expressing excitement and passion for your interests can be contagious, making people naturally gravitate towards you.

Fitzroy Melbourne Murals for Mural Monday

 

Having learned that walking may serve not only as exercise but also as a gentle aid to muscular recovery, I resolved to take a stroll through the streets of Fitzroy—a suburb renowned for its walkability and rich artistic heritage. As I wandered amidst its laneways and thoroughfares, I passed beneath the storied murals that adorn its brick facades, each a testament to the suburb’s longstanding tradition of street art, born in the countercultural movements of the late twentieth century. These vibrant expressions seemed to echo the rhythm of my steps, weaving history and healing into every stride.

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FE 20-70mm f4 G

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Taipei Mural for Mural Monday

 

I came upon a charming mural near the entrance of a night market in Shulin, Taipei. I arrived too early, before the market had come to life, and so, with little else to do, I captured a photograph of the mural before continuing on my way.

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FE 20-70mm f4 G

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When I was in high school, my English teacher held a peculiar aversion to the word senseless, deeming it wholly nonsensical. She would penalise me on several occasions merely for employing the term, as though it were a kind of linguistic taboo in her classroom. At the time, I understood senseless to signify a state of numbness or insensibility. Yet now, in contemporary media, one frequently encounters the word used to describe acts of violence and tragedy — "senseless crimes" and "senseless deaths" abound in the headlines. I cannot help but wonder whether the language has shifted with the passage of time.

Fitzroy Melbourne Murals for Mural Monday

 

Fitzroy is a vibrant and eclectic suburb. Over the weekend, Joel and I dined in the area, evoking a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of our university years.

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FE 20-70mm f4 G

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Melbourne Murals for Mural Monday

 

Certain murals indeed evoke deep emotions, and exploring different painting styles allows me to appreciate and learn from them.

Regarding my time in Taipei, I am finally overcoming the effects of jet lag. However, I find myself feeling less adept at adjusting to new environments. Additionally, I have been inundated with a considerable number of work-related emails, which has been rather distressing. The constant demands of others can be quite overwhelming.

Panasonic G9

Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4

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Melbourne murals for Mural Monday

 

Some of the strange murals witnessed in Melbourne

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Leica 12-60mm f2.8-6

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Mum sustained some facial bruising and kneecap strain. And some teeth chipped in. That gave me a fright. 

Fitzroy Murals for Mural Monday

 

These portrait murals have stood there in Fitzroy for many years. 

Fitzroy, Melbourne, is renowned for its vibrant street art and murals, reflecting the suburb’s rich cultural and political history. Murals began appearing in the 1970s, influenced by global political movements and local activism. One of the earliest and most famous is the Charcoal Lane mural (1985) by Megan Evans and Les Griggs, which celebrates Fitzroy’s Indigenous heritage and the community’s struggles.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, Fitzroy’s walls became canvases for graffiti artists and muralists alike, with iconic works appearing in laneways like Johnston Street and Rose Street. The area’s murals often feature themes of social justice, environmentalism, and Aboriginal rights, blending traditional and contemporary styles.

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Sigma 17mm f4 

Linking Mural Monday and FACE OFF

Sunshine Lane, Collingwood for Mural Monday

 

I love strolling along this lane in Collingwood. Problem is the lack of parking availability in the area and its incredible foot traffic. 

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FE 14mm f1.8 GM

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Joel and I were debating on the term "suicidal empathy" movement in our society. 

Melbourne Murals for Mural Monday

 

Some more murals discovered during the photo walk

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FE 24mm f1.8 GM

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