Guerilla Graffiti

According to the Oxford Dictionary graffiti is outlined as, ‘writing or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public place’. Resolute in its neat categorisation of graffiti into the scrawls of teenage angst, this dictionary definition is somewhat outdated. True, there are those who firmly believe it to be embroiled in a hotbed of vandalism and hostility – Brian Sewell still sneers at the mere mention of the word- however, this is simply no longer the case.

Once dominated by youths armed with spray cans, brandishing cryptic tags and inking as they went, graffiti has blossomed into a fully-fledged art form of dynamic posters, murals and stencils. Known on the street as ‘graffing’, this new genre of street art is the antithesis of everything elite; it can’t be owned, bought, borrowed or bragged, it simply exists for everybody.  This is the very same reason for its rejection by art establishments and academies for so long, deemed worthless scribbles.

However, just when did this artistic shift occur? When did the subversive underground scribbles transform into mammoth murals with a point to make? Most notably, and well-renowned, is Banksy’s contribution to the scene; the mysterious man behind the mask leaving his carefully crafted mark around Bristol city. It is this buzz, this hype, surrounding the art form that has created a ripple of interest and excitement, breathing new life into the genre.

Perhaps the most interesting twist of all, however, is the latest turn of events. Not only has street art begun to be accepted by art institutions at a global level (Banksy now collects up to £102,000 at auction), but graffiti has begun to be used for collective good. Driven by public initiatives and local protests, graffiti artists are proving that they are waging a very different war from when they first started. Loud, proud and powerful, these artists have a point to make and they are not afraid who hears it.

Lifting the (spray can) lid on this rapidly evolving sensation, here are just a few of our favourite street art initiatives from around the world.

Malta: ‘Putting Colour Into The Streets’

Raising awareness about the street art scene and reviving a long-lost art form, visual artist James Micallef Grimaud and gallery owner Christine Xuereb launched an ongoing mural initiative in Malta last August. Supported by the Malta Arts Fund, this exciting project oversaw splashes of vibrant colour and collaborative collage take to the streets. Large and evocative murals of cloud-strewn skies, cascading pink sunsets, surreal heads and cantering horses were cast upon the vast stony canvases of Malta’s streets.

Literally bringing fine art to the street, this exciting campaign aims to break down the barriers between fine art and street art. Eye-catching and attention grabbing, these enormous graffiti installations are being used to make a point. Casting light on the untapped potential of this evolving art form, this project endorses a legitimate, legal and healthy form of self-expression. With no need to hide behind the protective guise of a masked anonymity, artists on this project are instead choosing to actively draw from the adjacent architecture demonstrating that they can work with, rather than against, their natural surroundings.

Cultivating an interest in contemporary culture and shaking up the somewhat conservative Maltese art scene, initiatives like this have helped to pave way for greater diversity in art and prove that street art is not always a threat. Speaking exclusively to My Destination, Micallef stated, “It’s definitely exciting to see such a project come through. This is a very new concept for Malta since most of the art is exhibited behind closed doors”.

To gaze at these captivating murals, head to the Bella Vista Road in San Gwann.  With continuous plans for expansion, the project’s next location is set to be in Msida and murals will begin at the end of this month.

Bristol: ‘See No Evil’

The artistic birthplace of Banksy, it came as no surprise when Bristol hosted one of the UK’s biggest pieces of street art last year. Hoping to emulate the success of Banky’s 2009 exhibition, which raked in 30,000 visitors and millions of pounds, the Bristol City Council commissioned an ambitious pro-graffiti project entitled ‘See No Evil’.

Amalgamating a melting pot of street art talent, this innovative event invited 72 international artists from the UK, USA, Spain, Holland and Brazil to transform the dull, drab appearance of Nelson Street. Sandwiched between concrete blocks and monochrome slabs in the city centre, this forlorn thoroughfare was considered one of the ugliest spots in Bristol. That was, however, until these creative minds met to dress the street in shades of luminescent colour.

With 13,000 spray cans at the ready to provide instant culture with just the shake of a hand, this collaborative project oversaw a mélange of creative styles. Satirical figures, real-life portraits, humorous spoofs and distorted cartoons all appeared upon the stony walls of Nelson Street in just one weekend. Works by aerosol muralists ‘Tats Cru’, the original subway crew from the Bronx, and Inkie, a local street art hero, all saw their works up in metaphorical lights.

This live-art-affair went much further than just providing aesthetically pleasing wall murals, however. Riding the creative wave, the event blossomed into a contagious block party of music, cartoon drawing, screen printing, fancy dress emporiums and even a pop-up barber. Embracing the vibrant atmosphere and the interdisciplinary flow between the arts, thousands of tourists flocked to Nelson Street to join in the party. 

Now a permanent fixture, the Nelson Street projects serves as a constant reminder to all tourists and locals of the potential possibilities, rejuvenation and beauty that street art can provide.

British Columbia: Wild Fire Bakery & Chemainus

With a refreshing attitude to graffiti, British Columbia is proving itself a province that embraces street art in all its forms. While, like elsewhere, issues of vandalism and defacing public property still prevail, British Columbia has chosen to combat this with a positive ‘can do’ attitude. Embracing legal enterprises, small businesses have begun to offer legitimate locations for public self-expression. One such venue is the Wild Fire Bakery in Victoria. With its delicious aromas of organic artisan bread wafting through the air, Wild Fire could have just become another charming bakery in British Columbia. Instead, however, the previous owners of the building enlisted the Victoria Street Art Association (VSCA) to permit four artists to cover the external walls entirely in graffiti. Now home to the Wild Fire Bakery, the new owners have chosen to perpetuate this support of street art and create longevity for this modern art form.

Another pro-graffiti project lies close by in the small town of Chemanius. Tucked away in the rolling hills of Cowichan Valley, nestled on the east side of Vancouver Island, this tiny little mill town has become renowned for its impressive wall murals.  Entirely dependent upon the mill trade until 1981, when recession hit, the people of Chemainus turned to street art as their saving grace. Rallying together under the leadership of local resident Karl Schurz, and with the support of the then mayor Graham Bruce, the Festival of Murals Society was born. Transforming the downtown area into an outdoor gallery exhibit of enormous murals, Chemainus was completely revitalized by this cultural facelift. Grown from just a mere 5 murals, this town now lays claim to 41 murals as well as sculptural carvings and statues. Earning the nickname as ‘The Little Town That Did’, Chamainus typifies the ultimate example of street art being used for good.

               * * * * *

So there you have it, just a few of our favourite street art initiatives from around the world demonstrating that there is a lot more depth to the genre of graffiti than unruly scrawl and rebellious tags.

On that note, peace out homies.

Emily Waller, My Destination
February 2012

Follow me on Twitter: @EmilyLWaller