Vandals or Visionaries?
Never underestimate the ingenuity of artists in Charleston, especially when they leave the studio and easel for street and façade.
Don’t worry, these artists are not necessarily trigger-happy teenagers with a can of Krylon. Graffiti is a process: scouting for the perfect spot, imagining an appropriate piece for that location, and lastly, but most importantly, finding a way to paint the piece without getting caught.
Although the city’s graffiti scene is young compared to Baltimore, New York and Paris, when it started, it started in full sprint. So much so, in fact, that it quickly caught the attention of the city and those in charge of keeping the peace.
Good graffiti is well thought out, and it should be since the fine for getting caught has more than quadrupled in recent years. There are more police patrolling the city now and, consequently, the number of thought-provoking pieces has declined.
But in this rebellious recession, artists remain optimistic.
“When I see graffiti it creates a feeling of true love. I don’t think that punishment can stop someone when it is a true love,” says Ishmael, the highly-regarded local graffitist who derives his nom de guerre from Daniel Quinn’s novel of the same name.
Local taggers admit that, for a number of reasons, including Charleston’s natural and historic beauty, we’re not a graffiti-friendly city. Although they say that a good graffiti writer knows what is appropriate and inappropriate to write on.
“I have a respect for history. Just because I do graffiti does not mean I hate our city or country,” says a rep of a local graffiti writer crew.
So, why graffiti?
The medium holds more power than a paintbrush and canvas. It is a way to leave your mark, to be seen by a larger audience. It reminds younger kids that there is art in Charleston that exists outside of Rainbow Row or a lonely Palmetto tree and crescent moon.
Of course, there is always the allure of doing something solely because someone in authority told you not to. In this sense, graffiti is an expression of the question everyone thinks at some point, “Well, why can’t I do it?”
It’s a valid question. Artists such as Ishmael and others risk a lot when they ask it.
But graffiti artists are resilient. One nameless artist says, “If you are a true graffiti writer you are never going to stop doing it, no matter what the law is.”
The rules that prohibit this art are the very ones that enable it. After all, there is no rebellion where there are no rules.
See works by Ishmael and other nationally acclaimed graffiti artists at Eye Level Art’s “Familiar Strangers” show on 10/22.
Story by: Seth Amos
I have seen tagging in Paris and other cities and it is a disgrace — block after block of beautiful, historic buildings defiled with spray paint. It is the height of conceit for a minority of criminals to deface buildings and ruin the aesthetics of a city when the majority of residents have to live with the destruction. This type of art should only be applauded when it is done at the request or with the approval of property owners.
I LOVE graffiti and wish someone would hide the hideous cinder-block wall around the ballpark at Hampton Park. It really is a big ugly blue eyesore! Or perhaps a mural in which the Charleston City school kids design & implement:)
Seriously? Another article about graffiti? This must be the most worn out topic of conversation by people in Charleston hoping to be “progressive.”
Hey CHARLIE, go back to the usual caliber of topics…please?
I totally agree with you Margo. Graffiti is like so 2005.
If they don’t have permission of the owner of the property, it’s clearly vandalism. They should be arrested.
Check out http://charleston.tagrecord.com/ its trying to build a record of tags in Charleston.
As a property owner, we received a citation and faced a FINE from the city if graffiti was not removed… it is clearly vandalism and should not be celebrated. The property owner has to pay either way–in order to avoid a fine, we had to pay to have someone to remove the graffiti.
Urban blight! Don’t let yourselves be deceived… graffiti is vandalism, no matter how artistic or expressive it is. Don’t let our city become the NYC of the South in terms of street art! It’s shameful. The “artists” are disrespectful, egotistical criminals. Strictly enforce the law!
And furthermore, Google about the graffiti laws LA has been forced to enact. The OWNER of the tagged (vandalized) building must paint over the “art” within a certain amount of time. That’s how bad it’s gotten on the Left Coast. This must not happen in Charleston!
I’ve seen some of Ishmael’s work. It’s awesome. I think before anyone judges based on their concept of graffiti…they need to drive down to Folly Road and Fort Johnson. There is a strip mall on that corner, where All is Well is located. Go behind the strip mall and be prepared to be amazed! He’s got some walls that look so realistic. I think the only piece he keeps is the image of the child’s face. It haunts you. The other walls, he changes on a frequent basis. I know professional photographers who follow his work and go out there to record it for all eternity. Best of luck Ishmael!
boo hiss to the “left coast comment. must be a spawarrior.,.ugh and the rest….think & live in a box, but not me. I appreciate art in all its forms. too bad some people have no soul
Ishmael did not do the walls behind all is well. The walls are by Sheep man.
Some graffiti is ugly and some is nice looking, but still vandalism. Charleston’s sheepman is obviously an amazing artist. I wouldn’t even consider it graffiti