Graff Writers: Artists Nonetheless
By Q Ball • May 5th, 2008 • Category: The Blackbook
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A true Graff Writer is an artist masked by the alter ego of a character-empowered pseudonym. They live and run for the thrill seeking life of blazing their identity to the world with the same prime-time energy as a sign in Times Square. They deliver their craft as harbingers, poets, messengers, apostles, activists, visionaries, prophets, shock jocks, romantics, and editorialists. No matter what they create, where they bomb, or how they burn their hieroglyphics, Graff Writers ultimately prize the game in the name of fame.
I will reiterate what you have just read; a true Graff Writer is an artist. We are not talking about taggers, posers, and toy boys trying to leave a mark in an area like a dog’s urine. We are talking about artisans baring themselves through manifested imagery blessed by an aerosol mist.
Most people label them with notorious descriptions such as vandals, criminals, outlaws, and even animals when they reface public property with pieces and designs, but what if their works were not illegal? What would graffiti murals be called if they were legally acceptable? What if a politically correct term was implemented to describe their craft as the “art of resurfacing?” What if Graffiti Writers are given places exposed for the world to see and appreciate by permission?
It would be the same as any other acceptable, respectable, and commissioned fine art. It would be Art nonetheless.
The truth is every thing’s written off as criminal activity if there’s a boundary created by a law that has been crossed. A boundary the same as a train yard fence that advertises ‘No Trespassing.” Of course Graffiti Art was born because writers did not take No for an answer, and thus we have a beautiful genre that has been passed down four generations from New York City and Philly to the whole wide world and evolving.
Life is about the choices you make, and Graff Writers live as society’s tightrope walkers on the line of art and crime. Not all writers break the law, and not all make a living from it either. But one thing is for sure; all writers want you to know their name.
For those of you who have a name, take a trip down to LRPD Vandal Squad’s website for a free copy of Graffiti Studio 2.0. It has been readily downloadable since approximately 2002. I know there are Graffiti Artists roaming this site, and I bet some of you have never even heard of this popular software that provides hours of enjoyment. This program is as enjoyable to a Graff Artist as Madden 2008 is to an American Football player. The download is no bigger than 5 MB’s for the PC and MAC. Check it out, and send us some snap shots of your work!
Unfortunately, for some of you, no laws will be broken.
On a final note, here is a link dedicated to you taggers, posers, and toy boys who are stinking up the place while giving real Graff Writers a bad name. It is called the Graffiti Coloring Book; also available in PDF format. Now run and go play somewhere.
Here are 3 Videos Created By Chilean Artist ZDM2 using Graffiti Studio 2.0!
Jay Z Portrait
Dr. Dre Portrait
Eminem Portrait
Q Ball is a South Florida inner city native who has embraced Hip Hop culture ever since He first heard "Rapper's Delight" in 1979. His journey to live the culture was enhanced during the massive relocation boom of New Yorkers throughout the 80s which gave South Florida the nickname, "The 6th Borough." His enthusiasm lead him into the skills of Lyricism, Graff Writing, and Track Producing and now writes for Old School Scholar.
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