Mark ‘Chopper’ Read mural in Collingwood, Melbourne
Mark ‘Chopper’ Read is an Australian icon and underworld hero, in the mold of Ned Kelly. Neither were very nice men, neither were innocents hard done by justice but both have a place in the national psyche. “Never plead guilty” was one of his mottos, not that it did him much good, he spent only 13 months outside of prison between the ages of 20 and 38. He was the author of several books and was immortalised on celluloid by Eric Bana who played him in the 2000 film, ‘Chopper’.
Whilst walking around Collingwood, in inner city Melbourne looking for street art, I came across an alley way with a mural of the legendary crim.
Street Art mural of Chopper Read, Collingwood
Upon further inspection, I discovered that the whole ally was dedicated to the now deceased underworld enforcer. Not the sort of alley you’d want to be caught up on a dark, Melbourne night but a veritable Rouge’s Gallery with some impressive works. You can find the alley just off Perry St.
My personal favourite is brimming with menace and brilliantly executed.
