Prototype Issue
Spray On: Graffiti Still the Word on LA Streets
By Lori Kozlowski
(page 2 of 2)“At 13, it was a vehicle for me to create letters. To me, graffiti is stylized fonts. Just like Times New Roman, someone figured out that ‘a’ and made a ‘b’ to complement it. It’s the same with graffiti,” Make said, mentioning his fascination with rock-band logos.
Twenty-five years later, he shares his talent with at-risk youth and other youngsters. Make teaches a course titled “The Art of Lettering” for Art Share LA, STAR Inc. and other nonprofit entities.
Make encourages his students to stay out of gangs, telling them to develop talent instead: “Dedicate two to three hours to drawing. That’s two to three hours they’re not on the streets.”
Right from the start, graffiti took off in LA, allowing different sects within a sprawling metropolis to express their style: Writers from the Valley, South Central, the Westside and the Eastside have been making their mark ever since.
Though the tag of top graffiti artists can change from one year to the next, one thing remains certain: This is one form of urban expression that’s not going away anytime soon.
For more history on LA graffiti, peep www.thehistoryoflosangelesgraffitiart.com.
Great Article Posted by Tom McKenzie 613 days ago
I gave a copy of your article to my elementary school friend for his homework assignment and he got an A+. Thanks! Also, since reading this I spotted an impressive Trigz tag in Echo Park.
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