It was once usually seen as vandalism, now there’s an entire precinct in Mordialloc dedicated to street art

“People associated the spraycan with vandalism immediately.” When Adnate started painting murals and street art in the 1990s, he said the public’s attitude towards ‘graffiti’ was generally one of derision. It didn’t stop him from going on to be one of Australia’s most celebrated – and visible – artists, his work now attracting worldwide recognition for the large-scale murals which adorn the side of walls, silos, and residential towers.  He has also completed several works for a new precinct in Mordialloc featuring art from seven Australian and international artists. But now approaching his 40s, Adnate reflects with Alice Zaslavsky on how to stay cool with the can.