The Westdene Graffiti Project, started in July 2015, is a collaborative initiative that aims to decorate the suburb. What started from Clint Hill’s post on the I Love Westdene Facebook page — a simple “Let’s art up Westdene” — lead to a full-blown project which has seen residents donate their walls to graffiti artists.
The project is managed through Facebook — residents donate their walls through posts to the Westdene Graffiti Project group. There’s a constant turnover of new walls and new art, with old pieces being painted over as new residents move in, and new walls being offered up when people need a little more colour in their life. As it stands, there are currently 38 graffitti murals scattered all over Westdene.
Graffiti artist Mars, who has done a number of pieces in the area, said about the project, “I think the Westsdene project was a great collaboration between residents and artists — it’s a really good example of how art brings people together. Artists and the community working together to accomplish something really beautiful that benefits both parties.”
Derek, the photographer who facilitates between residents and graffiti writers, says “The clear understanding is that the homeowners will have little input of what gets painted on their walls,” on the Graffiti SA website. “The project’s success is wholly dependent on the creative talent of the writers who are willing to donate cans and their time. If homeowners want a commissioned wall, I’ll put the word out and then it will be a business arrangement between a homeowner and a graffiti writer.”
Photos by Cale Waddacor
Header image by Derek Smith
