A local witnessed this burglary next to the Hopetoun in Surry Hills.

Alex Wain spotted it yesterday (see more of his gorgeous photos here).

What better way to start Jan 1st 2011, than with some photos from my ‘hood.

Even photographed a burglary taking place.

It’s not often we get such witty street art in the neighbourhood at the moment. Anyone know who’s responsible?

There’s a new paste-up on the wall of the Hopetoun Hotel, Surry Hills, by Jumbo and Zap.

But it’s not just Bourke Street, and it’s not just those two.

Whoever is Premier of New South Wales next week might well front up to a press conference on Macquarie Street and talk about getting tough on graffiti. But on the streets this year, Sydney has witnessed a huge resurgence in public art — for its own sake. We’re enchanted by the stuff because it’s ephemeral, because it adds an unexpected magic to our streets, and mostly because it’s absolutely obviously clear that the artist made it for us.

That’s the beginning of a piece I wrote, covering a lot of great stuff that’s had first airing here, you can find the rest at New Matilda.

There’s been a real vacuum in Surry Hills since the Hopetoun hotel’s surprise closure in September.

The old fold-back doors are boarded up – they were always perfect for the kind of summer afternoons we’re shaping up for. You can just imagine the kind of forlorn looks locals give the place every day.

Well enough is enough. One of our favourite street artists in this town, Zap, kicked off a one-man cultural reclamation this week, on one of those boarded up doors at the corner of Bourke and Fitzroy Streets.

It’s a fairly abstracted, Madvillain-esque character, and it’s one of the coolest Zap paste-ups I’ve seen.

Cafes and garage roller doors and hotels around Surry Hills and Darlinghurst have been tattooed with a round face with a laughing, open mouth.

This one’s on Whittel Street, Surry Hills. The cheeky thing has two horns, dimples and a cross on its forehead – there might be a goatee in the mix, too.

But there are plenty of these hexes – and they really do look like bad luck stamps – around town.

There’s a hex on the wall of Recess cafe, Burton Street. There’s another on Sandwell Street, across from the Cricketer’s Arms hotel. The Hopetoun hotel got a stamp, though I think it came after the veteran indie rock venue shut.

This one’s on West Street, Darlinghurst, across the road from Bills cafe.

What would bring someone to hex the entire neighbourhood – bad coffee, messy break-up?