Graffiti art gives students a voice
Graffiti is a widespread problem across many areas of Melbourne, but students at Swinburne's Wantirna campus have taken this negative form of youth expression and created a positive piece of street art.
The students, who have faced considerable challenges in their lives, have created a graffiti board and photographic mural as a way to represent the positive contribution young people make to society.
The street art was created as part of the Certificate of General Education for Adults (CGEA) - Youth stream. The CGEA is equivalent to Year 10 study, and is an alternative for those who have left mainstream schooling.
According to Swinburne youth worker Marcel Koper, the artworks are a way to demonstrate what young people have to offer, especially in the face of new graffiti laws that have recently been introduced in Victoria. "This is a group of young people who have overcome obstacles and chosen to continue on with their education in a TAFE environment. For some, this means persevering when they haven't had stable, ongoing accommodation, or have had to face mental health issues.
"This graffiti board and mural are positive, legal ways for the students to express how they see themselves. It is giving them a voice, because in the past a lot of them have been voiceless," he said.
Koper also believes this type of project appeals to the students' particular learning styles. He says the majority of CGEA students are kinaesthetic, visual and practical learners.
"We decided to do a project based around something visual, as this is something that the students can relate to.
"It has been really beneficial. Not only has it put on display the students' considerable artistic talents. It has also brought them together, where they have learnt skills in compromise, planning and group cooperation," he said.
The graffiti board and photographic mural will be unveiled at Swinburne's Wantirna campus on Wednesday 18 June as part of the students' end of term event - Winter Fest Hullabaloo.
