Street art in Balaclava

A sea vessel flanked by mermaids is a whimsical image you would expect to find in a book on folklore.

As a prominent landmark stretched across a railway overpass, The Lady of St Kilda mural captures the quirky character of its location in the Melbourne suburb of Balaclava.

Lady of St Kilda mural adds to the colourful vibe in Balaclava’s main shopping strip.

Commissioned in 1993 by the local council, the well-known Lady of St Kilda artwork was designed by artist Alex Nemirovsky.

Historically, the Lady of St Kilda was a British schooner used for trading and was often moored in bayside Melbourne in the 1840s.

But there is more street art in Balaclava than meets the eye.

Strolling down laneways and residential streets, I stumbled upon some amazing finds.

Can you guess the name and street number of this cafe? The wall to this former kosher butchery has had changes of outdoor graphics over the years. This is the cafe’s more recent illustration.

Unicorns and botanicals combine in this colourful side-street mural outside a cafe.

Another eatery across the street has this display vying for attention.

Caricatures on a brick canvas enliven an otherwise drab setting at this abandoned site.

Tucked in an industrial backstreet, this little cafe makes its presence known.

Local residents who appreciate the appeal of street art provide an external canvas for the keen artist. This fenced boundary to a home is a superb example.

What do you think of these dramatic images tattooed on a brick wall and adjoining fence of this corner dwelling?

Tucked in a bluestone back alley, a cafe with a cult following is a surprise find. But with this image of a monk by the entrance, you know you’ve arrived at the popular Monk Bodhi Dharma.

It’s all about the image, and this shop selling party supplies clearly illustrates its trade.

Lee Bofkin, co-founder and CEO of Global Street Art, has archived an impressive online collection of street art images.

In his book Concrete Canvas, the self-confessed geek acknowledges a growing awareness of street art, including graffiti, as a celebrated art form.

And with the search for these urban art locations taking him to places often off the beaten path, I am inspired to do the same.

Join me again down the track as I seek out more street art in my travels, including a revisit to various neighbourhoods.