Sometimes there are places that hold the power of memory, those special landmarks that draw like minded individuals together to collaborate, create and grow. Across the world, there are, and have been, spontaneously evolved locations that have endowed communities with a sense of belonging. Places where many differences in backgrounds and beliefs have often been swept away by shared passions. Amongst these places are counted many of the worlds past and present sub-cultural destinations – Londons Fabric nightclub, 27 Rue de Fleurus, Harajuku Bridge, Tacheles, Goa, and … Craigie?
There was once a wall that sat a stones throw away from where I grew up. Where my suburb of Padbury had the Macdonald park underpasses, bus shelters and the often bombed and riskily pieced wall behind Padbury Shops, Craigie had something unique – and yet its uniqueness wasn’t just restricted to those who lived in the area, it was shared amongst the entirety of Perths graffiti community . Post-Cinema City (a long standing graffiti artist hangout in the 80s and early 90s), the Craigie wall was, for fifteen years, a thriving communities bastion of experimentation and expression; its continually evolving works a testament to the passions of those who painted there.
Old, new, beginner, expert, toy, king, local or visitor, it was a rare artist who painted a wall within the West who wouldn’t have, at the least, if not having sprayed a lick of paint, visited this small suburb some twenty k’s north of the city. Craigie, a suburb whose biggest claims to fame include a long gone (but kick ass) old roller-skating rink and bowling alley, and where a gentle waft in the air from a certain water treatment plant can still be smelt … well, you’d be forgiven if you haven’t heard its name before. Sure, there are other, similar, sites today all over the world that hold the same significance to their communities (Melbournes Hosier lane amongst them), but there was something unique about the Craigie Walls that defies even these meagre words of explanation.
It’s a sad fact, however, that a place of that held such cultural substance was lost on anyone who didn’t share the enthusiasm of the painters who worked there. It is only now that a book has been produced, that the general public is slowly becoming aware of the artistic bounty that once stood in their midst.
For over two years, Craigie artist Trevor6025 has been collecting, collating, researching, talking, writing, scanning and documenting this extraordinary piece of local history. Through his efforts, and via the words and images donated by his peers, the forthcoming publication “Craigie Tales” examines the story of this once prominent landmark, and its place in the evolution of our countries graffiti culture.
Released this weekend in Perth, we had the chance to talk with Trevor6025 about the book, and were given the chance learn more about the walls, the artists who worked up them, and the bullshit politics that lead to the destruction of this lost piece of Australian art history …
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