Exhibition Information

NKSIN 1930 #2 White
Giclee on paper 77.7 x 77.7 cm
(Source = Gallery Afternoon)

buggy A family portrait/1
Acrylic on canvas 83 x 100 cm
(Source = buggy)

			The exhibition title was borrowed from the 1983 documentary film <Style Wars>, which took an in-depth look into the growing subculture of hip-hop that was developing in New York City in the late '70s and early '80s.

The camera frame lingers on various aspects of hip-hop, particularly focusing on graffiti writers and artists as a narrative vehicle of introducing rap culture, DJ culture, breakdancing. As the first documentary of its kind, it had paid due respect to the roots and the flourishing culture of hip hop. When NYC’s graffiti writers started seeing others’ works around the city, competition was inspired, and everyone strived to have the coolest and freshest style. To do that, they stumped anti-graffiti enforcers and campaigns, and refused to live ordinary lives.



This November at <STYLE WARS in SEOUL> extraordinary graffiti styles connect with contemporary art, presented by Gallery Afternoon in collaboration with Katsumi Yamato Gallery. Graffiti may be rooted in the streets of dilapidated urban areas, but it has also found new ground and cultures since the late 70s.



Now, it may not even be exclusive to walls, unattended shutters, subway lines and train tracks. This group exhibition brings together Japan’s young contemporary artists who each engage the viewer with his or her own expressive visual style that pays direct homage to - or even embodies the stylistic spirit of - graffiti. In the way that the 1983 film did, we hope that this collective presentation offers insight and inspiration.


(Source = Gallery Afternoon)