Across The Tracks and Through The Looking Glass

Having been a homeless person myself once I know how difficult it can be to try to satisfy your creative needs when you are busy all day trying to fulfil the most basic human requirements of shelter, food, personal hygiene and warmth.

Such vital needs for expression don’t however just go away.

In the face of your predicament; the absence of  basic essentials of survival often accompanied by family and relationship breakdown, loss of work, self esteem and sometimes even addiction issues, self expression becomes more vital than ever.

The solace and the comfort gleaned from some small expression of  ones soul, however small, may be the fuel that keeps the inner fire of selfhood burning.

Even a token flourish of pencil or paint, or arrangement of words into prose, is enough to scream ‘I am somebody’  if only to yourself, and that can sometimes mean the difference between two very different paths.

So when Damion Mulrain from the homeless charity Centrepoint from London’s Soho contacted me to ask if I could give a little of my time to pop into their Summer University graffiti project to chat about formulation of ideas, can control and give a few pointers on graffiti, I was delighted to oblige.

Damion has a strong background in graphics and the arts, and is passionate about his work with Centrepoint, so he was able to run and organise the course very effectively himself with the help of his colleague Louisa, my role was merely to enhance his skills with a touch of oldskool authenticity and be there to guide the young people and answer questions when they came up. I also lent the project my collection of graffiti books a few days beforehand and Damion got them all practising on paper long before the cans came out…..

We needed to start simply of course….

…and after watching my demonstration of basic techniques extremely intently….

…everyone seemed to approve …

…so we all decided it was high time to get cracking with some free expression…..

…all of their own….

 

 …and really started to pull some fine ideas out of the bag…

…with the idea of learning some basic can-control skills.

…which they followed up on day two with some more substantial concepts of their own.

 

 

Everyone was given the full range of equipment to do all kinds of graffiti, including scalpels and cardboard to make stencils, and despite being warned how much more difficult it was to get a pleasing effect, everyone chose to work freehand.

Damion and Louisa from Centrepoint….

 …along with other staff members who dropped in…

…seemed to be having just as much fun…..

as the residents themselves!

Not bad for beginners, huh?

 

 Drip control strategy in full operation…

The rabbit character between the letters ‘SB’ begins to take form….

Despite how it may look this really is HYDE’s first ever piece, outline and work totally his own, just a few pointers from me….

The others too, seemed to take to the task very well indeed, and were rightly pleased with their results.

Lots of fun was had by all. Thanks so much to Damion and Louise for inviting me take part and thanks to all the young people from the project for for allowing me to help them with their expression and to witness them pinning down their visions and ideas so beautifully.  Good luck to all for the future!

Thanks also to the guys at Chrome and Black paint shop for looking after Damion and Louisa, nice one!

>>>You can donate money and help to get a homeless young person off the street HERE<<<

 

Do you love graffiti? Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn but didn’t fancy getting arrested or even know where to start. Maybe you’ve tried tags or stencils and would like to learn can control skills and freehand techniques…Maybe your kids have already redecorated the garage and are running out of space or maybe you’d like to paint a message to someone special and have the photo emailed to them…

If this sounds like you it is your lucky day. Make those ideas become reality, develop your style, paint a burner.

Andy Seize is doing separate lessons for both adults and kids in Hackney, East London. Ages seven up are welcome to come and learn from a proper oldskool writer.

Lessons are very reasonably priced and all paint, safety equipment and even photos are included in the cost, just bring your ideas.

See full details and book online at Andy’s blog here.

The London Handstyles book is out now featuring tags by a selection of London graffiti writers from the mid eighties to the present, many who were considerably more prolific than myself. The launch party was on Friday in Rarekind Gallery below Chrome and Black graffiti art supplies shop on Bethnal Green Road by Brick Lane.

It was great to meet certain influential oldskool legends for the first time and to hook up with old friends.

The book is for anyone who wants to know more about the roots of the movement, reminisce about the mad old days or learn how to bomb their name effectively. Here’s a few shots from the party- I’ve posted pics of the handstyles rather than the heads who write ‘em.

 

 

 

Buy your copy and see pages from the book here

 

 

 

Hats off to old school graffiti writer Petro for putting on a smashing opening night. His exhibition is just off Brick Lane at The Old Rag Factory on Heneage Street.

Petro is showing lots of affordable paintings and prints based on the letter-form alongside more quirky and conceptual stuff.

It makes a refreshing change to see artists who are actually passionate and animated by showing their work, that is what it is all about in my book anyway and gave the evening a brilliant atmosphere.

To rock graffiti letters on panels and make it work is hard but Petro pulls it off with awesome style, check the pictures….

Petro’s show is only on this weekend 25th and 26th July 12-7 pm so I would make every effort to get down there if you can possibly manage it. There is a map further down the page, nearest tube Aldgate East,Whitechapel or Liverpool Street.

Petro has a website here

More after the jump…

Read more…