Dennis Lopez is contracted by Greater Dandenong council to spray paint walls before graffiti vandals have the chance. His works include this mural in Menzies Avenue, Dandenong.By Shaun Inguanzo
A TALENTED spray painter is Greater Dandenong’s latest weapon in graffiti prevention, but says he is also fighting graffiti art’s tainted image within the community.
Dennis Lopez, a 28-year-old airbrush and spray paint artist is the self-employed owner of his business Psychedelic Design.
Mr Lopez said he painted anything from cars and motorbikes to helmets, and also “a bit of signage”.
But one of the spray painter’s biggest clients is the City of Greater Dandenong, which has employed the talented artist to create murals on the walls of Greater Dandenong’s troubled graffiti spots.
The strategy, Mr Lopez said, prevented vandals from scribbling on vacant walls, and alleviated the amount of washing and painting required by property owners.
But the new arm of council’s graffiti prevention strategy will require a small amount of public education, Mr Lopez said, to ensure stereotypes about spray paint and graffiti are not imposed upon his work.
“At first (people) think it is going to be scribble, but once they see it finished their jaws sort of drop,” he said. “There’s a bit of disbelief in what you can do with a spray can, but you can pretty much get photo realistic stuff.”
Mr Lopez has already painted three murals for the City of Greater Dandenong, including one of a seascape on Menzies Avenue.
He said few people if given the chance would scribble on walls, and they would rather paint creative murals.
“A majority use it as a creative outlet, they like to do it for other people to see,” he said. “But they (currently) don’t have a chance, because in the media (graffiti) is portrayed as very bad.
“But if you see in Europe, they do whole buildings three to four storeys high.
“In Europe it is a big thing, the public like it and sometimes actually get overseas artists to come and paint them.”
Greater Dandenong social development manager Mark Patterson said contracting Mr Lopez had a wide range of benefits to the community.
“It is important for council to support local business,” he said.
“By contracting Dennis council provides an opportunity to develop a young local business, brighten up generally drab areas with effective artwork, while assisting to manage graffiti as well.”
Mr Patterson said the council spent $120,000 on graffiti management each year and operated a graffiti hotline, contactable on 9239 5100.
