Subiaco, with a side of excellent street art

Hallo Spaceboy! Just one of several murals created for Subiaco by local artist, Graeme Miles Richards.

It takes a fair bit to get me out of the house these days. Give me a comfy couch, something decent on Stan or Netflix, and a pantry containing a respectable supply of snacks, and I’m generally a happy camper. But every now and then, it pays to put down the remote and discover what’s happening beyond your front door. And if there’s art involved, all the better.

Enter Oh Hey WA, the Perth walking-tour crew with a knack for revealing the stories hiding in plain sight in specific suburbs. Their latest Subi Art Walks, created in partnership with the city’s See Subiaco campaign, invite locals and visitors to explore the suburb via its colourful murals which are tucked away in laneways and otherwise ordinary car parks.

Subiaco might be familiar territory for anyone who’s frequented its cafés, shops and restaurants, but how often do we really look around? There’s a difference between walking through a neighbourhood and actually seeing it.

These guided tours are designed to encourage precisely that: slowing down, looking up and discovering the art we might otherwise march straight past. Sometimes, too, you’ve got to look down. One artist, who accidentally spilled yellow paint on the tarmac of one of Subi’s carparks decided not to waste the good paint and turned it into a glorious big bee, albeit a little damaged from the fall!

The Subi Murals & Markets walks run on Saturdays throughout November, taking participants on a guided exploration of the suburb’s street art before finishing at the Subi Night Markets. There’s a welcome drink along the way, and selected sessions offer the chance to meet a mural artist and hear the stories behind their work. Because a splash of paint on a wall is one thing; discovering the person, ideas and creative process behind it is quite another.

This is where Oh Hey WA’s approach comes into its own. Founder Adie Chapman and her team understand that a great walking tour isn’t simply about ticking off landmarks – it’s about connecting the dots between art, history, local characters and the places that give a neighbourhood its personality.

One of the more prominent artists whose works feature on the Subi Murals & Markets walks is Graeme Miles Richards whose knack for detail sees everything from animalia and birds to astronauts and pop stars inflitrating his work. Graeme regular sets up scaffolding in Subi’s laneway nooks and crannies, to colour them up with all manner of pop cultural and everyday references.

Can you guess the band? Mural artist Graeme Miles Richards creates tiny portraits that contrast his grand, bright murals. Painted here is New Zealand outfit, Split Enz, simply because he’s a fan. And so are we!

The Subi Art Walks program also ventures beyond murals, with gallery experiences in nearby Shenton Park and festive outings combining local art with hospitality. There are options for families, friends and anyone keen to see a familiar patch of Perth from a fresh perspective.

So, consider this an invitation to trade the couch for a couple of hours outdoors. You might discover a new favourite artist, a laneway you never knew existed or simply a renewed appreciation for your own backyard.

A special shout-out to Al Canto,  a buzzing local Italian bistro and bar that once used to be where the classic Oriel cafe stood. Al Canto makes Italian cuisine as good as my Nonna used to – always using the freshest of ingredients, and fusing classic cooking with contemporary takes on popular dishes. If you ever drop by, be sure to try the Baccala Mantecato (silky, whipped salted cod served on toast) and the Grilled polenta with sauteed mushroom, truffle and parmesan. Even the burrata bruschetta, pictured left, is a meal in itself.

So, for something truly special, get up close to some quality local art and try somewhere new to dine at the next time you’re in Subi. Netflix and Stan will still be there when you get home. Subiaco, meanwhile, has quite a few stories to tell.

Antonino Tati

The November mural walks finish at the Subi Night Markets with selected artist sessions. Artist Graeme Miles Richards will be in attendance on the first Subi Murals and Markets tour on November 7th. For more information visit ohheywa.com.au.