Keith Haring mural defaced by heartless vandals in Collingwood

A heritage-listed mural by a famous artist has been defaced again by heartless vandals at a trendy arts precinct in Collingwood.

The iconic Keith Haring mural in Collingwood has been vandalised again. Picture: 3AW

A heritage-listed mural by a famous artist has been targeted again by heartless vandals in an inner-city suburb of Melbourne.

Blue spray paint was spotted at the bottom of the Keith Haring mural on Johnston St in Collingwood on Tuesday.

The mural has been defaced multiple times over the past decade, including in 2014 when it was tagged with the message “Pure Evil Was Here ’13”.

A year later, the words “Keith Renks” were scribbled across the wall in black paint.

Famous artist Keith Haring. Picture: William Coupon

It’s believed to have cost more than $15,000 to restore.

The mural, located in Collingwood Yards arts precinct, is considered a significant part of Melbourne’s cultural history.

Collingwood Yards spokeswoman Julia Gregg said graffiti was a common sight in the suburb.

“As a small not-for-profit supporting the arts community in the inner-north remediating this will represent a major expense, impacting our team and resources,” she said.

“The Keith Haring mural is a beloved part of the Collingwood streetscape.

“The best protection for the mural is for the community to share in our custodianship — to care for it and watch out for it.”

Creative Industries Minister Danny Pearson said it was “deeply disappointing” to see the work “mindlessly vandalised”.

Mr Haring, an American artist and social activist, died in 1990 after contracting AIDS.

During a visit to Melbourne in 1984, he painted the mural on the wall of the then Collingwood Technical College.

It was added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 2004 and is one of only 31 known murals by the artist that exist worldwide.

It’s understood a “holistic conservation approach” has been developed and applied over the past two years to care for the paint layers.

This was in partnership with an international team of experts, Creative Victoria and Heritage Victoria.

Anyone with information about the recent damage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.