Take Back Public Space Press Release

Take Back Public Space

The Australian Centre for Democracy and Justice is calling on people to take back their public spaces and use artistic impulses to combat the over-branding, and crass commercialism of these areas of public use.
     
The Melbourne-based social and environmental justice organisation have put together a step-by-step guide to stencilling called 'Take Back Public Space' and is urging people to make their own stencils. The aim is to encourage people to reclaim their public spaces in the name of democracy.
   
“Multinational companies have completely branded our public spaces. The community is rarely, if ever, consulted about these eyesores and there is a growing unrest about this," Australian Centre for Democracy and Justice director Hammy Goonan said. “All we’ve done is provide an outlet for people’s frustration with this branding and an opportunity to take this space back.”
   
A stencil is a shape or image that is cut-out (usually using paper or cardboard), placed on a wall and coloured over using spray paint, leaving the image on the underlying surface. ACDJ is asking members of the public to use the medium to subvert those companies who use stencil art and advertising in general as a means of promoting their, often, unnecessary and unsustainable products and services.
   
“These are companies that quite often use messages that are harmful to society. It encourages irresponsible behaviour and ensures people remain image conscious and addicted to products that are made in unethical, unsustainable ways. People are being led to believe that the only way to happiness is through consuming. We all know that’s not the case but it is really having a subconscious effect.
   
“In addition, this appropriation of public space is highly undemocratic. It’s the commons, the people’s space that we want back. You can’t turn your head anymore without having things we don’t need being forced upon us.”

To view the "Take Back Public Space" document Click Here.

For more details on the campaign go to: www.democracyandjustice.org.

If you've got some examples of your own stencils, or would like to get involved in the campaign the please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For comment, contact Hammy Goonan on 0402 072 653