Shanghai showcases works of over 15 global graffiti artists

Shanghai A.F.A collaborates with the globally renowned Museum of Graffiti from the United States to present its first Chinese exhibition at ROJO Art Space: "Street Echoes - Global Graffiti Art Exhibition." The exhibition will run from October 1 to December.

After nearly a year of preparation, the exhibition features over 15 graffiti artists from around the world, including Museum of Graffiti Founder Alan Ket and the legendary figure John Andrew Perello, also known as Jon One. These artists come from various countries, including the United States, Switzerland, France, South Korea, and China.

Joy Chang, the exhibition director, said that graffiti art, like any other art form, has now become one of the mainstream art forms and has undergone significant changes over the years.

"From the late 20th century to the present, graffiti art has transitioned from underground to mainstream. In the past, graffiti artists used public spaces to express their ideas and will through words and images. Now, graffiti is gradually influencing young trends, spreading this art form to younger demographics through collaborations across fashion brands, music, and sports," Chang explained.

"We aim to enhance people's understanding of graffiti art through the exhibition and offer Chinese consumers and the public the opportunity to acquaint themselves with top graffiti artists from around the world and their esteemed works," she added.

She said that at the exhibition venue visitors can witness the scenes such as New York subway cars, skate parks, rooftop billboards, public restrooms, and phone booths — locales where graffiti artists originally brought their creations to life in urban settings.

In addition to showcasing hundreds of influential graffiti artworks from around the globe to the audience, the exhibition also features live painting.

During the live painting session, Jon One expressed, "I really appreciate the creative approach of Chinese artists. I have incorporated elements from the East and Asia into my artworks, adding a fresh perspective to graffiti while maintaining the tradition of street art. I believe this is what makes it unique."

Alan Ket, who founded the world's first graffiti art museum in 2018, remarked, "Bringing the Museum of Graffiti to China is a very big deal for the museum because our mission is to present, to exhibit, to preserve, and to educate about this art form. And coming here gives us an opportunity to share all the history all the things that we've learned, all about the people and the development over 50 years."

Dedicated to promoting graffiti, Ket said, "It is my hope that many people come here to see this exhibition to learn what we believe is a very important art form."

As a veteran in the graffiti scene, Ket encourages aspiring artists who are just beginning to explore graffiti to courageously pick up their brushes and delve into the history.

"There is a long history before today. The more that you have an understanding of the past, the better it will be to make new works. Then the biggest thing is you have to practice, pick up paint, learn from fail and start again," he emphasized.

To offer more opportunities for Chinese graffiti enthusiasts and those unfamiliar with graffiti to learn more about this art form, Ket intends to publish more related books in the future.

"I believe we are open to moving around the world and presenting wherever the opportunities come anywhere in China, anywhere in Asia, really anywhere in the world, but our focus is on education," Ket affirmed.