Most travel writers will tell you Hosier Lane is the centrepiece of Melbourne’s laneway street art culture. It’s definitely the most infamous, lined with street art and brimming with colour. What many forget to mention is that it’s also a hub for social commentary and political statements; though I don’t think it receives anywhere near the appreciation it should. Despite its perfect placement to gain attention for many overlooked issues. 

It’s a cobbled lane, tucked away in the streets of the CBD, running down to the river and equally famous Flinders Street Station and Federation Square. The road is uneven, not just the incline but in the levelling out of old square stones pushed together. The walls are so high, they loom over the tourists and the artwork alike. It’s surprising to consider how some artists can access certain locations for their art. But this adds to the immersive outdoor art gallery experience. There’s no right or wrong way to explore the art; top to bottom, or vice versa. But it is a nice touch to have bookend statement pieces. 

Shout Out for Women

At the bottom of the lane is a collection of posters with women’s faces. Each one is a real person whose story has been irrevocably changed because of violence against women: missing, dead, abandoned. Most of them are named, identified, personalising the installation. Real women, victims of real violence, with a social issue that is a real problem, and still waiting to be properly addressed. 

Even more heartbreaking are the posters with no face or name. A modern art abstract portrait takes their place. Just because we weren’t able to identify them should never erase their experience. 

At the other end of Hosier Lane, the wall is peppered with small clay hearts, each with a message. One states very simply: “Stop killing women and children”. Another says, “Fuck PMS”. They could easily be lost among the other colourful geometric shapes, but each heart is heartfelt in both its simple artistic design and its poignant message. Fuck PMS, indeed. 

Who is at Home in Hosier Lane?

About halfway down the lane, there is a side bit, mostly lined with bins for the surrounding businesses. However, there are a couple of key pieces of art worth stopping for. At one of the highest points is a painted tree, reaching beyond the high-rises for a small strip of sunlight. It’s a stretch for the eyes to see the detail in the art (a worthy effort), but that’s also the point: reminding us what we should be reaching for, but regularly unable to do so.

When your eyes return to street level, you may chance upon some locals watching the tourists as much as the tourists are watching the artwork. Some ‘residents’ of Hosier Lane are part of Melbourne’s homeless community, often ignored, yet as much a part of the locality as the street art. They can tell you a lot about the artwork of Hosier Lane; what was here before, what trends they can see emerging now. Many are nervous about authorities in the area and do not want their photo taken along with the art, but I feel they would have as much insight to share as the teacher taking the senior Visual Arts students on an excursion down the lane. 

One thing we agreed on was the lack of appreciation for the artists themselves. These are the people brave enough to make the statements on the walls of Hosier Lane, constantly shared across social media. Rarely are they given credit for their provocative thoughts and for their bravery in speaking up. Kudos to the mum with her primary school son who stopped to chat to @be3five while working on their current piece. One of those rare moments when the artist had the opportunity to provide more detail and discuss the social commentary behind their work, with an audience willing and able to listen. 

Melbourne’s laneways are also a resting point for construction workers during the never-ending churn in the CBD. They are behind the scenes, working to build someone else’s dream. But when they pause in the laneways, these workers stop and see what matters to those around them. They read the messages, note which work attracts the most attention (and camera clicks), and subtly guide people to the ones they think deserve a little more attention. 

Laneways of Love and Education

While Hosier Lane attracts thousands of tourists year-round, it remains one of Melbourne’s artistic statements of the true state of our society. It is only a starting point; a stepping stone to a greater tour through the city and the wider display of artistic expression. Melbourne has nurtured a beautiful culture of art and expression, both officially in galleries and unofficially on the streets. The meeting point of minds is not in the style of art but in the people who support, nurture, and care for it. Where street art has always been a microexpression of community, people, and locality, Melbourne has found a way to promote it on a macro level and to encourage laneway culture worldwide. 

When next you visit Hosier Lane, or any of Melbourne’s great laneway microcosms, give it a little extra time beyond a quick photo. Read the message, hear the voices, and thank Melbourne for seeing how much we all appreciate this.