Criminally Insane CI Crew 1987–2005 documents the rise of one of Melbourne's most influential graffiti crews.
Melbourne graffiti artist, graphic designer and now author, Frame, set out to create a project blending his twin passions; graffiti and design.
Initially untitled, the book began with borrowed photo albums and scanned images; mostly from the ’90s and early 2000s. His first interview was with Mesk, who started CI crew, more than 10 years ago, scribbling handwritten notes over a few beers in a pub on Gertrude Street.
One morning brought a light-bulb moment: a CI crew book. Every book needs a good story, and Criminally Insane provided both the title and narrative direction.
Melbourne graffiti history – Criminally Insane CI Crew 1987–2005
- Available now
- Published by Crims Ink Press
- Grab a copy here
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Melbourne graffiti culture is etched into the city’s vast train network, each crew shaped by the suburbs and railway lines that define their territory. Among them, CI Crew stands as an iconic presence. Born in the late ’80s in the city’s south-east, Criminally Insane quickly became synonymous with the Frankston line, leaving an unmistakable mark on Melbourne’s graffiti history.
Criminally Insane CI Crew 1987–2005 documents the rise and evolution of a scene that erupted in the southern suburbs, capturing the characters, culture and chaos that fuelled it. Divided into three sections, it traces the lineage of a crew that helped define an era.
Hip-Hop Don’t Stop looks back at the early hip-hop years through the 1980s; breakdancing battles in Frankston Mall, kids inspired by films like Beat Street, and the first bursts of colour on public walls and trains. This section follows Mesk as he forms CI Crew and lays the foundation for what would become a legendary name in Melbourne graffiti.
’93 Til Infinity covers 1993–1999, when Mesk’s younger partner Serd stepped forward, bringing new members into the fold. Together, they pushed to cement Criminally Insane’s presence across trains and railway corridors, striving to elevate the crew and dominate the Frankston line and beyond.
The Y2K Bug chronicles the early 2000s renaissance. New writers emerged, old writers returned, and Melbourne experienced a renewed surge of energy and style, CI Crew evolving once again to meet the moment with new improved tools and tricks to get things done.
Frame spent over a decade gathering material, conducting interviews and piecing together the history of a crew that operated largely in the shadows. Writers like Jorz, Frost, Shout, Jeds, Dipher, Crank, Morro, Saipan, Calvin, Renks, Hiss, Wuz, Ulcer, Meant, Isle, In3, Brake, Tarns and Reach contributed and shared their stories. Photographers including Jesse Marlow and Andy Taylor documented the movement as it unfolded.
Criminally Insane CI Crew 1987–2005 captures the adrenaline, artistry and brotherhood of Melbourne’s graffiti culture during its most prolific period, when trains were rolling canvases and the Frankston line belonged to CI.
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