Graffiti artist is accused of rape
WORLD-RENOWNED Australian street artist Anthony Lister offered “internships” to teenage art students before drugging and raping them, police allege.
The Brisbane-born artist, 40, is accused of sexually assaulting four women on separate occasions at his Darlinghurst home between 2015 and 2018, as well as tattooing one of them while she was heavily intoxicated.
“He is distressed and hurt by the charges and emphatically denies that he has ever taken wrongful advantage of anyone in a sexual context,” Lister’s lawyer Stewart Levitt said in a statement.
The handcuffed graffiti artist fronted Central Local Court yesterday via video link from Surry Hills police station, and is expected to apply for bail next week.
Wearing a bright, multi-coloured T-shirt and tracksuit pants, Lister bowed his head after his short matter was adjourned until May 7.
Police allege he drugged his victims – including three art students – and tattooed three lines on one of the women without her consent.
Lister was arrested after police raided his home and an industrial space in Marrickville on Tuesday, where they allegedly seized four replica pistols, knuckle dusters and an assortment of illegal drugs. These included methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and cannabis.
Lister was charged with causing grievous bodily harm to a person with intent, five counts of sexual intercourse without consent and using an intoxicating substance to commit an indictable offence.
He was also hit with four counts of possessing a prohibited firearm, seven counts of possessing prohibited drugs, and possessing a prohibited weapon.
Colloquially known as the “adventure painter”, he recently featured in Netflix documentary Have You Seen the Listers? which chronicles the artist’s rise to international fame. His work is also featured in the National Gallery of Australia and Art Bank Australia.
Lister’s graffiti artworks are prominent around Sydney. In recent months, though, his work has been vandalised. On social media, Lister has been the subject of hate messages.
In 2016, Lister was found guilty of a wilful damage graffiti charge, with no conviction recorded, and ordered to pay $440 restitution to Brisbane City Council.