FINAL DESIGN

I created an initial sketch, attempting to create a font with straight edges, ensuring that each letter had a flat base so that it could stand alone.

I used a combination of a varsity style font and my own signature calligraphy style.

I then uploaded this to my iPad, using Procreate to trace the lines, creating a digital file which could be laser cut with wood or acrylic.

I had to edit the S to be more balanced. In order to be laser ready, I made each artboard the size of the material I was using. These would then be lasered alonside some equal sized strips, which would be cut to create the fabricated sides, making my letters 3D.

GRAFFITI

Modern graffiti as we know it was made popular in the in 1960's and 70's USA cities like New York & Philadelphia. Appearing in inner city urban areas and harmonious with the growing Hip Hop culture.

London has a huge graffiti community, with both legal and illegal pieces adorning the city walls. I personally am drawn to the art form, as I grew up with graffiti writers in my family and friendship circles.

Images taken from Holding Back Magazine Vol 2

Graffiti is synonymous with abandonment, in particular abandoned buildings. We often see graffiti in urban areas, specifically unkempt, desolate spaces where no one cares enough to remove the art work.

Graffiti itself is a particularly contentious art form due to it’s illegality. It is illegal to make graffiti on privately owned spaces, and can even carry prison sentences. The thrill of illegality, trespass and anonymity prevails. Though legal graffiti spots exist, many graffiti writers use a pseudonym to hide their identity and avoid brushes with the law when painting on 'hot' (dangerous) spots.

My own work would lend itself to graffiti as I focus on typography and sign-writing, however I am a wimp when it comes to anything illegal! I have created murals in the past, commissioned by clients.

Mural art and graffiti are synonymous. Simply put, Murals are legal graffiti.

"Mural art, for example, is often commissioned by local authorities or businesses and is viewed as a way to beautify and enhance public spaces. However, the distinction between mural art and graffiti becomes blurred when considering the creative and expressive elements that graffiti can encompass."

Perhaps the most infamous graffiti artist of all time is Bristol artist Banksy. As recently as 2021, a Banksy piece appeared just outside of Nottingham city on the side of a hair salon. It was there for a few months before it was literally chopped out of the wall and sold for a six figure sum to a collector.

Some see graffiti is art, others as vandalism. This ties into kitsch culture and the saying 'One man's trash is another man's treasure.'

I feel a connection to graffiti through my own work, as it's nearly always text based. The letters themselves are the art, distorting and changing, becoming unreadable at times. Does it matter if you can read it? Is the act itself the art form rather than the message?

In the art life article titled Why Graffiti Is Art And Not Vandalism - they list these reasons

• Graffiti Takes Technical Skill

• It Exemplifies Freedom Of Expression

• Political And Social Themes Are Powerfully Represented

• Impressive Works Bring Drab Spaces To Life

• Huge Sales Demonstrate Its Artistic Value

Graffiti isn't going anywhere. Scrub it off, paint your piece over another artist's, lock them up - someone else will always come in with a fresh can and start the cycle all over again.

FOR SALE / FORSAKE

An inital idea I had was to create a mock For Sale sign, except it would say For Sake or Forsaken outside an abandoned building.

I used the picture I had of the abandoned Condor Services and mocked up the Forsaken sign.

Although I like the idea, I didn't quite think it was enough of a challenge, especially for my final major project.

I want to make a big impact for my final piece and don't think this quite hits the mark.