I never got into graffiti but, like a dutiful parent attempting to formulate a broader perspective on youth culture so I can make tame, inclusive statements about it in front of the kids, I did try my best to learn. On my recent trip to Berlin I even attended an “alternative” tour focused on street art with Another-Day contributor Dave Sun, during which we learned absolutely nothing about some beautiful murals and great artists from an Australian guide who opened his tour with a racial slur. Thankfully, Graffiti South Africa is providing me with a second chance at education with an event held in Newtown this week.
Working in association with Public Delivery, Graffiti South Africa is hosting an exhibition for one night only and it’s called FREEDUMB. The idea here is to provide people a first-hand view of the underground graffiti culture in Europe, thankfully unaccompanied by a guy with blond dreads and pants that look like they were assembled for a TV adaptation of Circus Charlie. This is all taking place this Thursday the 30th of October, at 6:30pm over at Assemblage Studios in Newtown, next to Town Hall. Entrance is free and there will be limited edition prints for sale, so bring cash.
Featuring the unpublished photographic work of Phil America and graffiti writers Taps & Moses™ and UTAH & ETHER, the exhibition has been to Paris, Sofia and Zürich, and will continue to travel around the world after the Joburg stopover. The proceeds of the show will go entirely to support The Grifters who are currently dealing with legal issues.
I’m not sure I’ll ever develop a complex understanding of graffiti culture, but I’ve always had a thing for photography and lurid artistic spectacles, so there’s something to be gained from that. But I can’t tell you enough how much better this will be for its lack of Australian hobos living in Berlin. Seriously. That shit was traumatic.
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Thursday 30 October 6.30pm
Assemblage Studios
41 Gwi Gwi Mrwebi Street
Newtown, Johannesburg
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For more info on FREEDUMB, go here.
For more from Graffiti South Africa, go here.