Graffiti art in Brighton 2006
Posted by 6fish on July 8, 2006
Originally uploaded by 6fish.
Had a walk around town today to look at three different views of graffiti art being displayed in Brighton.
The first was an exhibition being held at Brighton University Grand Parade. This was a little stilted in my view and demonstrated as much as anything how this kind of art doesn’t translate well to the gallery context. It did however show the clash between this kind of art and the desire to commercialise it, some of the artists here seem to blur the lines between design and illustration and Graffiti.
The second was some new work (being produced as I shot it) on Kensington Street. Some very nice work here.
The third is a large scale block of work produced by many artists in the New England Quarter as its now called. Lots of good quality stuff and like an art exhibition in the open air so well worth a look on a sunny day.
In general some really good work and credit to the council who I presume had to allow permission etc. for it to happen. If I had to critique it I’d say graffiti art doesn’t seem to have moved on much from the standards set say 10 years ago but perhaps its not so much about development as continuety.
Lots more photos here.
paulsilver said
The new stuff at Kensington Street looks good in your photos, I’ll have to wander down there later to have a look. I’ve got a few of the New England development ones in my Flickr account too, from when they were first being painted. Black Rock can be another good area, although with the sand sculptures down there at the moment the access is rather restricted.
I agree with your comment about style – nothing seems to have moved on for ages. Some of the art is very beautiful, but I do long for a bit more innovation as well.
ig said
Has graf moved on? Well, probably not: the form remains much the same, in essence. Take writing away from its roots (tags, throw-ups, dubs, quick pieces in illegal spots, the pursuit of street fame) and it loses a sense of real purpose. That’s not to say that spectacular, elaborate (and legal) productions don’t have a place, merely that they can only grow from those same roots; it’s a logical progression, made by countless writers all over the world, and still to be made by many more in the future.
It means that graf is often about individual rather than collective development. Nothing better, for me, than watching a talented writer push their own style, defining and re-defining it over years. There’s something really compelling about that process. Nothing better, either, than seeing a committed writer continue to plough onwards with the same determination, oblivious to compromise. Love the fact that Zomby’s canvas work is exactly the same as what he’d paint on a train. That’s what it’s all about: making your mark, wherever you can.
Beth said
Lots of discussion on this here: http://www.grafikwarfare.co.uk
This is a local street art collective. A number of members had their art re-appropriated into another artist’s photographs, which were shown in the Waitrose gallery on Western Road. This caused a bit of a ruckus, and the photographs were taken down. Full discussion here: http://www.grafikwarfare.co.uk/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1150274452&ucat=2&archive=&start_from=&
ig said
Just as a follow-up to this discussion, there are squazillions of photos from the “Sleeping Giants” event here. Enjoy.
bubi! said
i was just thinking, as i aint peiced up in other a year,
and not been in brighton long, where abouts is the best site to peice up?? legal or illegal?
ive seen alot of odisy around, up, and a few others,
n wana get me peice up, n show the world, a new artist is in town!!
cheers
bubi
Caspar said
Just belatedly seen all those graffiti pictures. It’s strange – for the most part they’re hideous, but compelling to look at as well, probably because they’re so very well executed.
For my money (which ain’t much), this guy’s approach is more interesting:
http://www.mattsewell.co.uk
Caspar
PS – There’s now a Waitrose gallery? Brilliant – only in Brighton!
wildcat said
Just to let you all know of sum inside info. Brighton and Hove council now have a VERY limited service to remove graffiti. There are currently two cameras active one at Elder Place the other overlooking the rear entrance to the sorting office top of Gloucester Road.
Have fun tagging.
Atombomb said
great graff site ABombCo.com