Exploring ‘Urban Abstracts’: A Journey Through Street Wall Art

Art is everywhere, often in the most unexpected places. My ongoing photographic series, ‘Urban Abstracts,’ delves into the beauty hidden in the detritus of street walls. This project transforms overlooked urban textures into compelling visual stories, focusing on the abstraction of graphic elements like typography, layered textures, and the organic decay of posters over time.

What fascinates me most about these walls is their accidental artistry. Layers of torn posters, weathered paint, and scrawled messages create a tapestry of colors, forms, and fragments that speak to the passage of time. Each composition is unique, shaped by both human hands and natural elements, telling stories of their own while inviting interpretation.

‘Urban Abstracts’ aims to reframe these gritty, ephemeral elements as works of art—graphic designs created by chance. By focusing on the interplay of textures and typography, I’m seeking to capture the moments where chaos becomes harmony, where decay becomes beauty.

This series is ongoing, and I’m continuously discovering new scenes that inspire me. Stay tuned as I share more of these urban vignettes.

Abstract collage series

As an artist, finding new ideas and inspiration is essential to keeping your creative process fresh and exciting. I find that using a sketchbook is a great way to experiment with new ideas without feeling the need to create a finished piece. I also enjoy working in a series, exploring a specific visual language across several works. Here is a little series I created inspired by abstract shapes and a primary colour palette.

Glue book studies - abstract collage

Due to current circumstances with self-isolation, I thought I’d take the opportunity to get back into some collage. Recently, my focus has been on photographic work but I’ve been feeling the itch to get back to some abstract studies. Here’s the latest one from my glue book.

'STRAY' - Exhibition opening

Recently I was asked to shoot Tristan Kerr's latest solo show, 'Stray'. Not only is Tristan a friend of mine, but also a very talented artist. I jumped at the opportunity to be involved and document the opening night. Here are some highlights.

Abstract Collage Experiments

In recent months, I've been focusing predominantly on various photography projects. I've been really looking forward to getting back into some collage, so I decided to start a new abstract series. Lately, I've found myself really drawn to the potential of working in this way. Using my original photography as source material, I'm combining colour, texture and type to create layered compositions. Below are some work in progress shots.

Urban mixed media experiments

I've been experimenting with some hand-made urban collages. Taking inspiration from Melbourne's vibrant streets, I've been exploring the possibilities of using my photographs as the source material for new mixed media works. By printing them out and cutting them up, I'm able to open up to a new, meditative way of working and the results have been very rewarding.

Here are some works in progress that explore layering, with a focus on type and texture like that of the torn street posters that surround us every day. There is so much visual interest and history to be found in the layers of the street walls.

I have enjoyed exploring decollage techniques with these works too. There's a fine balance between adding elements and taking them away. It also creates unexpected results when peeling back the images in this way, creating some playfulness to the work. The type is illegible and therefore becomes part of the design, rather to be read. I'm excited to explore this direction further and share more experiments with you soon...

Abstract Collage Experiments

I've just recently started an online course learning new techniques in mixed media collage. The course is run by Randel Plowman who's known for his amazing blog, 'A Collage a Day'. I'm excited to expand my skills and make more work by hand, a new direction I've been wanting to take in my work.

We started off with some quick 5 minute collages using our preference of source imagery. I used a combination of magazine clippings and some printed textures. It was challenging being restricted with time but I enjoyed the intuitive way of working with these. I'm pleased with the results.