The 10 Biggest Graffiti Moments Of May 2012

Topsafe London's monthly round-up includes some killer videos and must-see exhibitions.

May 30, 2012
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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

This month we go through what is happening on both sides of the Atlantic with shows, dedication pieces, and new books from old school legends. There have been some tremendous film releases in the world of graffiti this month too, so of course those are highlighted as well.

Written by @crackandshine and @topsafelondon.

The 10 Biggest Graffiti Moments Of May 2012.

10. HORFE's Products

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We launched our new Topsafe London website this month, with 3 new prints by HORFE. We started in 2009 with prints and have changed as a company since then, but we still keep working with the likes of ROID, HORFE, Will Robson Scott, PREF, HurtYouBad on various print projects.

9. Jurne & Matt w. Moore "Algorithms"

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The combination of MWM's illustration and Jurne's typography make for really interesting paintings. Their show is on until June 29, 2012 at Forth Wall Project in Boston. Go check it out!

8. ROID & HORFE Film

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London's ROID and Paris' HORFE have been collaborating on walls for the past 2 years now,and this film is the latest installment of their time spent working together. Horfe also talks about his work as he signs his new screenprints.

7. CONY

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We know we have mentioned Service Au Bar and the members of Peace & Love Crew before in previous round-ups, but this month is all about CONY. Previously, he has had shows at Palais de Tokyo in Paris, but it is his recent pieces and characters that have caught our attention of late. He has also released a small book with HORFE. Another talented writer from PAL to keep an eye on.

6. ATG at Klughaus

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ATG had their debut group show opening in New York this month at the ever developing Klughas Gallery. ATG have contributed heavily to the graffiti scene in London, are a constant presence with their own clothing label and events, so it is nice to see them working together on shows as well. Jamie Brown in particular is an absolutely amazing artist with a very bright future ahead of him.

Go check it out if you're in New York now, the work is on view through June 17, 2012.

5. London's Top 25 List

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We worked with Hurt You Bad on this list - it was tough whittling it down as there has been so many writers in London that I love (Known, Petro, Memo, Bosh, Touch, Siege 52 to name a few).

Check it out here.

4. AROE "Rest In Peace MCA" Mural

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Aroe painted this huge piece in 13 hours recently in memory of MCA. It has had a huge amount of press, including the front page of Reddit and in Rolling Stone magazine.

3. LUSH in England

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Another great video from Australian writer LUSH, shot in Brighton, England. He has been in London recently in preparation for a show, and has telling some truth on the streets of Shoreditch, the hip district of London.

2. HORFE's animation with ILoveDust.

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This project has been going on for almost 18 months so it is a relief to see it online finally. Creative studio ILoveDust and HORFE hooked up to make this animation. HORFE spent weeks hand drawing each frame, to give the film the look he wanted. It is unusual to see such a successful creative company spend so much of their time working with a graffiti writer, so it nice to see such effort put in from both sides.

1. More Than Ever

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ROID has gained huge acclaim for his graffiti work in the past 4 years (check out our retrospective of his best works here) and this show begins his considered effort to move into the art world.

The exhibition, More Than Ever, opens in London tomorrow, make sure you check out the show at Shop 13 Truman Brewery.

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