Can you share a bit about your story: from Cyprus to Melbourne, and how those early experiences shaped your creative eye?
I grew up in Cyprus and migrated to Australia at age eight, settling in the Bayside area. But for me, the northside is the real soul of Melbourne.
I studied Interior and Exhibition Design at Swinburne University, then built a career in visual merchandising and window dressing for both domestic and global brands. I was lucky to travel a lot interstate and overseas, which helped me develop my eye for detail and storytelling.
Fitzroy has clearly become a creative home for you. What keeps drawing you back to these streets, and what does this neighbourhood mean to you?
My work, social life and interests are all centred around the northside. I work in fashion wholesale in Abbotsford and spend much of my time in Fitzroy.
I love visiting queer spaces and checking out exhibitions — SOL gallery is my favourite. Naked for Satan is great for rooftop drinks after work, and I’m always up for a meal at Poodle or Marion on Gertrude Street, Alimentari on Brunswick Street or Sir Charles on Johnston Street. A steak night at the Fitzroy Town Hall Hotel is a favourite, especially with its cosy fireplace and great wine list.
I enjoy browsing boutiques like Bronze Snake, artisan stores like Wilkins & Kent, and my favourite paper and printing shop Zeta Florence. I also visit the Royal Exhibition Building for flower shows and design, craft and food fairs throughout the year.
On weekends, I’ll often be at Rose Street Artists’ Market and Fitzroy Mills, or wandering the back alleys to paint, discover new street art or explore op shops. My favourite is Lost & Found Market, where I’ve found some great mid-century décor pieces and denim jackets. I just love the fashionable, eclectic and artsy energy of Fitzroy and its mix of people.
Black and white photography is a big part of your work. What first drew you to this style, and what does it let you express?
During the pandemic, I started getting more involved in black and white photography. The CBD was empty and I felt the need to document that moment. Fitzroy fell within my 5km radius, so I spent a lot of time here capturing the sense of isolation.
I’m drawn to black and white because it feels timeless. I love playing with sunlight to capture intimate moments, particularly diffused winter light which creates a much more hazier, atmospheric mood whilst emphasising longer, dramatic shadows against vintage surroundings. I have a strong interest in vintage architecture, town planning and preserving history.
I’m inspired by photographer Mark Strizic, who documented Melbourne’s social and architectural changes in the mid-20th century.
Your creative interests have grown to include street art. How did that shift come about, and what did you discover through creating work in public spaces?
After the pandemic, in 2022, I came across a group of street artists in Hosier Lane and decided to join them. That’s how I became part of the Melbourne Street Art Collective, run by my friend Vasso Koletis.
My first piece was at Fitzroy Mills: a large collage incorporating my black and white photos. From there, I dove head-first into spray painting, stencilling, small murals and finding ways to mix my photography into the art. I also do sticker slapping, paste-ups and dioramas.
We meet once a month on Sundays to collaborate and create together. The group includes painters, poets, photographers and artists of all ages and backgrounds. After the session, we hang out for food and drinks, there’s a great sense of community and we really thrive when we’re together.
What has working with such a diverse group taught you, and how has it influenced your work and perspective?
It’s the community spirit that makes it special. The group brings together artists who might otherwise work in different circles, taggers, stencil artists, sticker makers, and creates a sense of unity.
We’ve welcomed people of all ages and from many different backgrounds, and each person brings their own story. There’s a warmth and openness, almost like a big family meal. By the end of each session, everyone feels part of something bigger.
Your photos feel full of quiet detail. What usually catches your eye first when walking around with your camera?
Mono is derived from the Greek word for only, alone or one, hence my artist name Mono(chromatic) Melbourne. Therefore, I capture lonesome figures in urban scenes and use sunlight to enhance the figure’s silhouette. I tend not to chase crowd scenes in this digital, chaotic world. Instead, I try to emphasise a timeless sense of space in Melbourne’s urban surroundings with an emptiness that is reminiscent of a bygone era in photography.
Is there one photograph taken here in Fitzroy that feels especially meaningful or holds a strong memory for you?
The figure in the laneway next to Fitzroy Mills is most meaningful to me. Laneways are my happy place, my playground where I am at my creative best. I meander and walk through laneways to be inspired by other artists’ murals and look out for the small details of social commentary in posters, sticker slaps and paste-ups. Laneways are an extension of a gallery, but it is outdoors in the real world where stories are told.
Follow Zinos on Instagram at @monomelbourne for more of his photography and street art.
