Racism won't Trump our unity — Bristol Graffiti

Bristol artists joined forces to paint this huge TRUMP piece overlooking the M32 in St Werburgh's. The work reads:'Racism won't Trump our unity' watch the clip below.

Grifters Code: Documenting Modern Graffiti Writing Book

This new publication tells the story behind the creation of The Grifters, who in a short time have left a long lasting legacy within the graffiti community, pioneering the analogue aesthetic since it’s inception with it culminating in Grifters Code. In this they translated their analogue photography into a digital video format and used the internet for distribution, something entirely different to the normal ebb and flow of the graffiti world.

The book goes on to chronicle the success story and birth of Good Guy Boris, explaining and defining the heritage of The Grifters and Grifters Code, the path that lead from its embryonic stages in the backwaters of Bulgaria, through to becoming a mainstay of graffiti photojournalism in the capital of France - and everything in-between.

Part of the focus of the book is Grifters Code; an episodic series of short films that broke the self-imposed and unwritten rules of vandalism, bringing to the viewer not merely the end result of a graffiti piece, but the whole adventure and mystique that surround the process. "Documenting Modern Graffiti Writing" is a testament not only to the evolution of The Grifters, but modern graffiti as we now know it.

 

As evidenced by its title, the author seeks to explain the motivations behind the documentation of modern day graffiti and explore the more meta concepts in the graffiti world, such as how The Grifters fuelled a resurgence in analogue photography within the graffiti community.

The book is clad in a cover literally made from the high visibility vests appropriated by the writers who infiltrate rail networks, and contains exclusive behind the scenes photos and unreleased works featuring Europe’s most renowned and infamous artists. As is a trait common of The Grifters, the book’s focus is one that encompasses the who, where and why of the ephemeral world of modern graffiti; not merely the what.

The book is availabe to purchase online here, signed copies are also available.

Chrome and Black AW16 Preview!

This week sees everyone favourite London Spray Paint Specialists Chrome and Black releasing a whole new colour range of beanies and a brand new hoodie as a part of their Autumn / Winter 2016 drop! Check this sneak peak preview video above and stay tuned for when they release in store and online... via their social channels on Instagram: @chromeandblack Twitter: @chromeandblack

The Right Side of the Tracks Exhibition At BSMT Space

On the 19th of November BSMT SPACE will open a show like never before! Three Graffiti legends Kaos (Stockholm), Marr/Marvel (Malmö) and Rocco and his Brothers (Berlin) will be descending on London and shifting the gallery a gear in true Old School style!

Kaos is regarded a graffiti King, the original vandal in motion and a myth from the Swedish Graffiti scene. He will show us how Scandinavian writers have come to represent the true spirit of Nordic graffiti- playful, easy combinations with fast moves. He started writing in '85/'86 with a compulsive urge to paint that hasn't died over 30 years later! Kaos also started the Topdog crew in '97, who as a crew and individuals has influenced more than one generation of writers.

Marr/Marvel/Eurotrash/Tropical Viking hails from Malmö, southern Sweden- a city famous for their purple commuter trains. Marr picked up on graffiti at the young age of 13 in '94/'95 while hanging out skating in Industrial Malmö. Almost 20 years later with over 1000 trains and 1000 walls under his belt, Marr has come to understand Graffiti was the best way to find out about himself, the fast-working nature of cans and markers have shaped his style. Active in the most illegal forms of Graffiti, he says "You can always make something out of nothing- that is Graffiti".

Berlin born Rocco and his Brothers has his roots in Graffiti and is still an active writer but his work has taken a radical shift in style- illegal installations that have been mystifying press and officials as they pop up all over Berlin in abandoned or restricted zones. These socio-political, satirical pieces are deeply rooted in Graffiti and they are about to be given an identity as this artist reveals who has been behind this controversy! Watch this space!

'The Right Side of the Tracks' will opens November 19th, 6pm.
For guestlist RSVP via: info@bsmt.co.uk.
The show will run until December 1st, 7pm
BSMT Space , 5D Stoke Newington Road, N168BH London.

Chrome & Black Presents 30 Years Of Graffiti at Trellick Towers

On Saturday 24th September Chrome and Black will be taking over the base of Trellick Tower for a spectacular all day event.

The event is free and they will showcase live art from the likes of Funk, Mear, Chik, Morn, SKam and more, plus DJ Philly and 210 spinnin the tunes. There will be free food (while supplies last; feel free to bring your own and the chef can cook it for you) and a free kids graffiti workshop for under 12's, teaching children the skills to create their own art piece, with paint sponsored by Ironlak. The workshop will be first come, first served, so arrive early to avoid dissapointment.

This year is the 30th anniversary of people painting at Trellick and with that area soon to be demolished they thought it best to hold an event in celebration of the much loved graff spot.

All welcome.

Trellick Tower, 5 Golborne Road, W10 5N London, United Kingdom

UK artist Godchild's New York Adventures

UK artist Goodchild was recently in New York and has just shared this short video of his adventures in the city.

OKER ‘Going Against The Grain’ London Exhibition

StolenSpace is very proud to present ‘Going Against The Grain’ the inaugural solo show by one of the most prolific writers of the London graffiti scene, OKER.

OKER has been painting for over 20 years. His throw-ups were all over South London, and with trains running across the city, he has made an incredible contribution to the London scene, influencing many of the younger generation of writers throughout the years. He is one of the very few graffiti writers in England who can call themselves ‘all city’, having been up in every area of London.

OKER claims he turned to graffiti as a form of self medication in his difficult early teenage years. When he walked along the tracks with other like minds, no one was interested in his personal life, this world was purely about him as a graffiti artist, as ‘OKER’.



After a short spell of living in New York and building relationships with the Kings of New York, he then returned to London bringing NYC's bombing style with him, gaining the respect from artists such as Eine, Barry McGee, KR and Banksy to name a few…



In 2000 he was sentenced for graffiti and in 2013 again for 2 years for painting on trains. This lead him to rethink his practice, ‘Going Against The Grain’ shows not only OKER’s artistic development, but also a development in the way he thinks about his art and an important step in his artistic practice. He can now safely move forward without the worry of being arrested on his opening night. He served his time, and this inaugural solo show will show how far he has come.


Opening Reception : 04.08.16, 6 - 9pm
Exhibition Dates : 05.08.16 - 28.08.16
StolenSpace Gallery, 17 Osborn Street London. E1 6TD