Rationale

Artwork Title: Be Kind, it’s Gangster.

Local signwriter Mattie Davo crafts this piece as an extension of his enduring professional ethos, bridging the gap between trade craft and fine art. By working within his traditional medium, he breathes new life into classic techniques, proving that technical precision and artistic soul are not mutually exclusive.

The work is a testament to the power of the hand-painted line, where every stroke is deliberate, disciplined, and deeply connected to the heritage of signwriting. Mattie navigates the tension between commercial legibility and abstract expression, turning functional surfaces into compelling visual narratives. He does not merely decorate the wall; he commands it, utilising time-honoured methods to generate an aesthetic that is both accessible and intellectually engaging.

Central to the work is the phrase Be Kind, its Gangster, a statement dripping with irony that subverts cultural expectations. By juxtaposing the soft, communal call for compassion with the aggressive, individualistic posturing of “gangster” culture, Davo creates a clever friction.

It challenges the viewer to reconsider what true toughness looks like, suggesting that choosing kindness in a hardened world is the most rebellious act of all. This piece serves as a physical manifestation of his dedication, inviting the viewer to appreciate the weight, texture, and quiet authority of work produced by the human hand.

About Mattie

Mattie Davo, born in Yarrawonga, has lived in Victoria most of his life and has been an owner of Benalla Signs for more than 20 years. Mattie has been a fervent supporter of Street Art in Benalla for many years, and has contributed to the dynamism of previous festivals through his professional output and pop-up artwork projects. As an official artist in this year’s lineup, Mattie Davo brings a unique flavour, blending traditional and contemporary signwriting skills with street art sensibilities to deliver a major work.