Pull up to the corner of Flinders Lane and Hosier Lane any day of the week, and you’ll find yourself caught in the chaos of tourists angling for the perfect shot of Melbourne’s graffiti mecca. Hosier Lane’s ever-changing walls have long been a canvas for the city’s street art scene — no two visits are ever the same. But starting December 12, there’s going to be a more permanent artistic fixture in the mix, and it’s shaping up to be a game-changer.
Sandra Powell and Andrew King — better known in the street art world as Sandrew — are the OGs of Australia’s street art collecting game. For the past 15 years, they’ve been scooping up works from emerging and established names alike, building a private collection that’s become the stuff of legend. Street art heavyweight Rone puts it bluntly: “They’ve been champions of Melbourne’s street art community for over a decade.”
Now, Sandrew are opening the vault and putting it all on display for the first time. The Outsiders Melbourne kicks off on December 12 at 167 Flinders Lane (prime real estate, right by Hosier Lane) and runs until May 2025. The free exhibition will showcase over 100 pieces from Sandrew’s collection, including some never-before-seen gems.
Expect to see heavy hitters from the local scene like Rone, Adnate, Sofles, Vexta, Fintan Magee, Meggs, and Kaff-eine — names that have helped put Melbourne’s street art scene on the map. But it’s not just an Aussie affair. The international lineup is equally stacked, featuring legends like Barry McGee, Vhils, Swoon, Invader, Shepard Fairey, Ron English, and Elle. Oh, and did we mention there’s an entire room dedicated to Banksy? Yeah. Banksy’s new piece Firework will be making its Australian debut, and it’s already set to be a showstopper.
For the street art nerds, there are some deep cuts to look out for. A previously unseen canvas by Rone is in the mix, and E.L.K’s portrait of Saul Williams — which snagged the first-ever Australian Stencil Art Prize — is also on deck.
Andrew King says the name The Outsiders is a nod to street artists’ roots as disruptors working outside the traditional art establishment. “Like the magnificent laneways of Melbourne,” he says, “the walls of The Outsiders Melbourne will surprise, challenge, and amuse.”
This isn’t just an art show — it’s a love letter to Melbourne’s street art culture. Don’t sleep on it.
https://www.theoutsidersmelbourne.com/about