The G Word brings cutting edge graffiti from the north east to BALTIC. Image © and courtesy New Line Graffiti
Gateshead’s BALTIC art centre has launched an exhibition featuring some of the most innovative graffiti artists in the north east.
The G Word showcases the work of 13 artists from New Line Graffiti, and runs from January 9 to 21 2007.
Along with finished works revealing the wide range of personal styles and approaches to graffiti, the exhibition displays preparatory sketches, drawings and schemes plus film projections and an audio soundtrack to fill the entire first floor gallery space.
Some of the pieces have a local theme. Tyne-Gateshead by Zee TTK. © The Bench (North East)
“This is very much a graffiti exhibition, not street, urban or aerosol art. Graffiti is an uncompromising art form and one which inspires much debate,” said a spokesperson from New Line Graffiti. “The G Word will allow people to see this work first hand outside its usual setting and engage with this energetic and vibrant scene.”
The exhibition follows hot on the heels of BALTIC's critically acclaimed Spank The Monkey exhibition of international urban and suburban art, which focused on graffiti, manga comics and art using skate boarding and surfing influences.
It included work from cult ‘guerrilla artist’ Banksy and Japanese digital artist Chiho Aoshima, whose art also features in a solo show at BALTIC that runs until January 28 2007.
Detail from 10,000 Years Of Style by Zee TTK - click here for a closer look. Image © and courtesy The Bench (North East)
While graffiti has been used for hundreds, even thousands, of years, the modern concept of graffiti as street art developed along with the hip hop music movement from the mid 1970s.
Pioneering graffiti artists from North American cities, especially New York, started developing their tags, or personal signatures, into larger ‘pieces’ using spray paints and multiple colours.
Since then the graffiti art scene has spread across the world and has never been far from controversy, with some seeing it as mindless vandalism and others maintaining that it is a vibrant part of urban culture.
Graffiti has always been controversial - a panel discussion at the gallery will discuss the issues. Image © and courtesy New Line Graffiti
A public discussion exploring the issues surrounding graffiti will be held at BALTIC on January 18 2007 with a panel including speakers from Northumbria Police, Newcastle City Council, the University of Northumbria, BALTIC and New Line Graffiti as well as graffiti artists from the region.
Peter Doroshenko, BALTIC Director, commented: “We are excited to welcome these artists to BALTIC. The G Word will allow them to work within the gallery setting to showcase their work and will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to see this work in a different context.”
“At the same time, it will provide a platform for further debate on this highly topical issue.”
