Blog Archives

Wall to Wall Montreal

I just love the character-driven styles of Quebec‘s 123KLAN. These writers-cum-graphic designers remind me of a mix-up between creative heavyweights Dabs & Myla, Reka, and the late Ed ‘Big Daddy‘ Roth (known for his Rat Fink creations). While not their best work, this little video they‘ve made for Converse is for you to enjoy while pens have been dropped on the desk here at INFX hq due to environmental espionage concerns. But rest assured I‘ll be back on track to bring you some new styles in the coming weeks!

“We got the savoir faire.”

123KLAN

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Graffiti: SE Asia 3

Last year, I visited Indonesia and Malaysia. During my incredible visit, I was impressed by the ever-increasing writing on the wall throughout my trip; with particular focus on the scene in Jogjakarta. Indonesia‘s second city is remarkably chill in comparison to the big durian that is Jakarta and their thriving arts scene is testament to this. I met some wonderful people there, kicked back at the city‘s newly opened, boho chic, Oxen Free bar and the next day I trekked up to the magnificent Borobudur stupa for a spectacular sunrise. Jogja is also home to some talented musicians -from electro through hardcore and hiphop. Sydney MC Rima Le Drifter was able to point me in the direction of some of the local rap talent and I have included 2 fresh tracks in the video below by Rotra and Dumbstah respectively:

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Off The Wall

Aug 24

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This Tuesday, 4th September Off The Wall is hosted by Workshop. This ensemble of underground graffiti artists and their work begins with a live graffiti session on the opening night. Be sure to get down between 6pm and 9pm to sample the action (and a few nice brews). INFX recently checked a show by curator and exhibitor Hayley ‘Sketch‘ Walker -whose styles will cushion the event. It promises to be a winner: unique talents will be on display; showcasing works that are just a little bit different to what you‘d expect from contemporary graffers. Need I say more? Come on down.

Off The Wall: Tuesday, 4th September 6pm – 9pm at Workshop -upstairs off the corner of Elizabeth & A‘Beckett

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Stéphanie Martin Petit

Aug 15

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Stéphanie was kind enough to offer INFX these words on her online photography exhibition that centres on Barcelona‘s graffiti scene:

“I began taking pictures of graffiti painted on the shutters of Barcelona ten years ago and walk after walk grew this collection.”

“To date, with almost 1200 images, I have the evidence… that the drawings do not foul shutters or devalue the city but give colour, life and uniqueness. Day life is going to sleep and get up the pictures of the night, giving light and personality to our streets. Showing these photos around the world is a tribute to Barcelona‘s great artists and their talent. It is also a pacific scream towards the Barcelona administration; hoping that the law regarding the graffiti will be removed.”

You can view the online exhibition here: https://stephaniemartinpetit.virtualgallery.com/

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SPOK

Aug 3

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From the massive Spanish crew TBC and hailing from Madrid, this is one writer that has continued to evolve epic styles. SPOK found his feet on the rail lines during the ‘90s and was burning hard, up until around ‘05 when he muscled in on the Fine Arts set. Ever since, SPOK has made inroads onto the international scene with varied forms and magnificent aerosol algorithyms. See for yo‘ self:

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Secret Walls: Melbourne 2012

Apr 16

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That‘s right, now is the time for all you arts and graff heads to get up in it. The gates are open to field your blockbuster creative nuances to the Secret Walls team. Don‘t sweat the name change: you will know Secret Wars from the sell-out crowds that rocked this live art battle series in 2011. It‘s the same crew, the same rules and quality competition showdown: but with a new name comin‘ back to rock ya. Submissions are open for the next week only -see all the details below:

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FruitJam (Narcoze)

Mar 21

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Narcoze is a European street artist from Holland. His techniques ranges from illustrative to aersol-based endeavours. Much of his work references escapism and “works inspired by the way people try to escape their own reality“. We recently hit Narcoze up on the FruitJam production he formulated and participated in; alongside fellow Euro street artists and graffers including Edo Rath, Simian Switch, Klik, Ominous, 524, Amik, CES53, Bust, and Sivanksi among others.

INFX: What got the FruitJam project started?
Narcoze: Mutual friends just got together to paint at this place called LerenDoen which literally means learning, doing. So it‘s a place where teenagers learn skills, when otherwise they might not have a chance to learn these things. Keeps ‘em off the streets and not turn into thugs and graffiti writers [ ;) ]

INFX: How did the artists relate to each other?
Narcoze: Most of us know each other from the graffiti or street art scene, even though they are very different from each other there‘s still a bond which will bring us together to paint at spots like these.

INFX: Do you have any future collabs on the horizon?
Narcoze: Not anything big planned at the moment but we try to get together in the weekends and just paint as often as we can. Good to get the juices flowing.

INFX: What‘s special about the graff scene in Europe?
Narcoze: I think the most important thing that stands out in European graff is that people from all over europe can easily meet up with each other and learn from each other‘s style.

Thanks to Narcoze for allowing time to give us the word-up on the FruitJam project. Check the video:

www.narcoze.com

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Metro Graff Three

Mar 8

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Here we have the third video in the Metro Graff series that documents Melbourne graffiti.

This instalment features an introduction by Victor Lancaster -you will know Victor as the seemingly soiled and dishevelled ‘bum‘ busking on the city streets with his home-made drum kit. However, Victor is also on the arts scene and is one talented musician. He has recently released an album, and he composed an electronic music track to accompany an Anthony Lister project in Hosier Lane. The video, proper, features live graff painting on the city streets -by the likes of Bailer, Sofles, Caper, Facter and a bunch more. Shot principly on Union Lane, and Finlay Lane; the video is accompanied by The Nextmen track ‘Spin It Round‘. Enjoy.

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Primary Suspects (Reka)

Feb 21

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What would the Melbourne graff scene be without our beloved Reka? It‘d have nothing on the contemporary Euro‘s or Californians that’s for sure. I remember riding the Franga/ Dandy line back in 2002; everyday relishing the Reka characters adorning the embankment walls along the lines -particularly between South Yarra and Malvern.
The once elusive Reka has since inspired legions of next-generation writers and toys, whilst building an artistic practice that has seen him adorn the walls & galleries of New York, San Fran, LA, Berlin etc. One of the founding members of the EverFresh Crew and Skinny White Boys stalwart, Reka continues to aspire to great heights, luckily, taking us punters along for the ride! Now, witness the Primary Suspects show at the nucleus of Melb‘s fine art graffiti community: Backwoods Gallery - 2nd until 18th March, Easey St. Collingwood:

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Klara

Jan 31

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Klara is quite lovely: easy going with a can-do attitude. And do she does -you will witness Klara‘s paste-ups all over town: often without realising it is her handiwork. But there is no missing the quality of her exploits, and this West Australian native‘s quest to make her art happen here in Melbourne. Klara was happy to meet me in the studio last week to interview herself with the aid of some super-maxxed up technology bonuses. Check it out:

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Aeon Oner

Jan 20

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Aeon is one of Europe‘s emerging Street Art talents. His styles range from blockbuster through wildstyle and the abstract. This Belgian-based graffiti artist has joined the ranks of those giving hard evidence to INFX about their exploits and endeavours:

INFX: Quelle est la force de la scène graff en Belgique?
Aeon: She is very diverse, we may as well hold back the [old] school, new school, the organic or wild style. Given its industrial past, Belgium has many abandoned buildings, which allows us to move on surfaces diversified and come to the frescoes of [many] sizes. Many more urban festivals are based on the graffiti which allows us to showcase our style.

INFX: Je suis creuser votre plateau de skate. Y a-t-il un intérêt à travailler avec les marques de skate locales ou grand?
Aeon: Yes, because it could lead to changing the image of the skate by the combination with graffiti; it could breathe new life into the movement. It is also good to work with both: local stores allow us to share in the region while industrial [companies] open more doors. I have a preference for the more industrial, but I do not neglect the local stores.

INFX: Quelle est la chose la plus effrayante qui soit arrivé à vous tandis que la peinture?
Aeon: One night on the subway lines, marking a room in elevation with the aid of a ladder. My hand touched the high voltage line and 1,500 volts went through my body; I think it’s my most frightening. I know I got lucky.

INFX: Où habitez-vous? Avec des amis? Dans la ville? Banlieues?
Aeon: I rent an apartment in the city alone.

INFX: Dans un (ou deux) mot, comment qualifieriez-vous décrit votre art?
Aeon: Aggressive and malleable. I want to make a dedication “13, GAV, AKF, D2K, P50, B80, V2T… and everyone I do not have room to quote because the list is long…
THANK YOU

Oui -un grand merci à Aeon et son posse! Voir les vraies affaires. Regarder les photos:

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www.aeon-oner.com

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El Mac

Jan 8

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I‘m not hugely into graffiti art, but every once in a while an artist will grab my attention and remind me why spraypaint is so versatile to work with. One such artist is Miles “Mac“ Macgregor, better known by his pseudonym El Mac. Hailing out of Los Angeles, El Mac has become an established name in the street art community and has an incredible repertoire of murals all over the world. His styles and methods are as flexible as his canvas, creating a number of pieces on both brick and paper, using spraypaint and brushwork. Most notable is his distinct style of grooving line patterns through the images to create a “lines in the sand“ effect. The result is nothing short of astonishing, and his latest work for purchase titled The Prayer demonstrates his ability to create a flood of emotion straight from the canvas. Watch out Banksy, there‘s a new kid on the block!

El Mac's

http://www.elmac.net/

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Alberto Nolac

Dec 19

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We hit Signore Alberto up for a quick Q&A the other day and the man was happy enough to share his thoughts with us. Here we have one of the best in the business: a heavyweight of the European graff scene in general, and Italy in particular. Nolac comes from Vicenza, a pretty hip-to-the-game town between Verona and Venice, in Italy‘s Veneto region. He recently kicked some arse in the global Meeting Of Styles event, this year hosted by Venice.

INFX: Was this year‘s Meeting Of Styles in Venice the first time you‘ve participated in MOS?

NOLAC: No, I‘ve been taking part to MOS since 2003.

INFX: Cool. Have you travelled with your art very much?

NOLAC: Yes, I travelled a lot. I‘ve been all over Europe and I had the chance to meet and paint with some of the most influent people involved in the graffiti world. In the 2010 I took part in an exhibition with the legendary Martha Cooper and in 2011 with the master T-Kid.

INFX: Martha Cooper, Eh? That would‘ve been a real privledge. You use various monikers including ‘SHOW‘, ‘TACO‘, and ‘ABE‘ (among others) -why do you write so many different names?

NOLAC: I write several tags because it‘s useful to improve my skills and to develop my own style. Sometimes it‘s even boring using and writing always the same name.

INFX: Nice, mix it up a bit… You‘ve been using Ironlak a bit but do you really think it is the best paint? What are your favourite cans?

NOLAC: Sometimes I paint with Ironlak. Most of the colors are nice and the pressure level is as good as the old Montana Hardcore. They are very clean.

INFX: Where do you see yourself (and your art) in 5 years time?

NOLAC: Honestly I don‘t know. I have no plans, I mean, I‘ll be painting for sure but graffiti is not my job, it‘s just a hobby.
Recently I haven‘t been painting as much as in the past because my job get me very busy. By the way graffiti is and will always be a need to me.

Frrresh! A big thanks to Alberto for taking the time out to chat.

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Cosmic Nature – Beastman

Dec 7

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Organic, geometric and full of magic, Beastman lets you see through the cracks. With a style that could easily be compared to the spiritual and visceral art of ancient religions, his work is simply mind blowing. In his solo exhibition ‘Cosmic Nature’, Beastman explores the nature of our reality and how small we really are on a cosmic scale. What this man can do with an aerosol can, will never cease to amaze me.

An exhibition of new paintings, Cosmic Nature opens this Thursday 8th December at 7pm and continues until 18th December at Kind of Gallery, Darlinghurst.

www.beastman.com.au/

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War of the Walls 2011

Nov 15

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December again brings the 2nd annual War of the Walls live graffiti battle back to Collingwood. Last year‘s winner, the industrious ADNATE is also back to present the event, fresh from a tour-of-duty in Berlin. He joins industry judges alongside the definitive Crowd Vote that holds a lamp to the current batch of writers; 5 graffiti up-and-coming Kings comprising RAD 11, Ohnoes, Mr Reliable, Eltoasto, and Broes. The 5 finalists will compete in an epic 2 hour aerosol battle, with hip-hop and soul breaks on the make by DJ Tom Showtime.

From 7pm at The Void, 1-35 Wellington St Collingwood Saturday 3rd Dec. Tickets: Click Here.

www.warofthewalls.com

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Writers Bench

Nov 6

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Oriel Guthrie directs this documentary film tracing the development of the graffiti scene in Melbourne. Following on from her 2004 short Skip Hop, this film explores the stories and perspectives of those who grew up with the movement, and also those that are engrossed in its contemporary incarnation. It traces the Street Art scene in Melbourne from 1980 until the present day. The film explores its roots in political slogans, through to the development of styles that are uniquely Australian.

The film screens at ACMI weekly, on Saturdays 12th, 19th, 26th of November at 4pm.

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Deb

Nov 4

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Deb is one of the most popular street artists working in Australia today. Her female characters adorn many businesses and commissioned walls throughout Melbourne & Sydney, and she has held many exhibitions whilst still engaging in grassroots events. This week, INFX was able to hit Deb up for some words on her current state of affairs:

INFX:  Having been on the scene for a long time now, what would you say has been one of your biggest artistic (career) highlights?
Deb: It‘s hard to say because there‘s always so many projects going on, it‘s really hard to highlight the most outstanding. Every time I have a solo show I put months of work into it, so no matter what other exciting jobs I have going on, these always feel like the best and most rewarding achievements as after each show, I‘ve just spent months pushing my style further. The Outpost Festival on Cockatoo island, Sydney, starting 4th November has been a big and amazing project to work on. There is so much amazing work to see over there.

INFX:  Cockatoo Island seems to be a heavy event. You‘ve said before that your characters somewhat amplify some of your own character traits -how would you say they‘ve developed in recent years?
Deb: If they amplify some of my character traits it‘s due to different times of my life and things I may be going through or feeling. They are also sometimes infused with issues around the world that bother or move me, or sometimes purely fantasy art. If you look through my stuff it‘s pretty diverse and always changing, there are many themes, creatures, characters and colour palettes.

INFX:  Being such a prolific artist during your years in Melbourne (with jaunts to Sydney & LA), and with widespread acclaim, what motivated you to move to Sydney?
Deb: I really don‘t know… I was becoming agitated in Melbourne, regardless of how my art was doing, I just felt like I really needed a change. I started doing more painting projects up here and thought I‘d give it a go. I live in Sydney for now but again I think I‘ll be wanting to move again,and next time will be overseas.

INFX:  Yeah, and with shows such as ‘Young & Free‘, Australian artists are doing well in the US at the moment -do you see yourself Stateside anytime soon?
Deb: I think about it all the time I feel like I‘m meant to go there now and that it would be a bigger push towards the direction I see my art going. I will never be at ease till I‘ve gone and spent some time over there doing my thing; as I have wanted this move for years now. It will happen next year.

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And no doubt things will continue to happen for Deb. A big thank-you for the interview; and we wish Deb all the best in Sydney and abroad!

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