Art
Book Details

Uncommissioned Art

An A-Z of Australian Graffiti

Christine Dew

Uncommissioned Art: An A-Z of Australian Graffiti, a spectacularly illustrated volume, offers new ways to look at street art and explores its cultural and aesthetic impact.

Opinion

This ambitious survey of contemporary Australian graffiti documents, through an abundance of excellent photographs and sharp informative text, the vibrancy of this illegal street culture. Like all good books about art, Uncommissioned Art helps us better understand what is right in front of our eyes." The Age, 13/10/2007

"Though still often perceived as a crime rather than art there is no denying that graffiti is gaining a lot of attention at the moment. Yet given the transient nature of street art how can we tell future generations about these underground talents if their work disappears forever under a new coat of paint or cleaner's brush? It is very lucky for us that Christine Drew has been documenting Australia's urban art so that while it may vanish, it won't be forgotten."
Desktop, October 2007

About this Title

On the streets of Australian cities there are conversations occurring in paint in public space. Graffiti, stencil and street art are increasingly gaining currency as a potent artform worldwide. In addition to its artistic endeavour, graffiti with its immediacy and ephemeral nature comments on political and social change, and the shape of the urban landscape itself.

This illustrated A-Z combines beautiful colour images from Australia's thriving graffiti and street art culture, interviews with some of Australia's most important graffiti and street artists, analysis of the history and evolution of the scene and discussion of urban planning, community and freedom of speech raised by graffiti's presence in public space.

Uncommissioned Art: An A-Z of Australian Graffiti offers new ways to look at street art. It will contribute to local, national and international conversations about art and design, popular culture and urban planning.

About the Author

Chris Dew is a Senior Lecturer in Gender Studies and an Australian Research Council Associate in the History Program at La Trobe University in Melbourne. She is also a photographer interested in landscape, memory and place. Her photographs have been exhibited in Melbourne's Counihan Gallery and in many print publications. She advises local government and community organisations on graffiti-related matters.

978-0-522-85375-9