Image via Complex Original
2012 was a great year for all aspects of graffiti. On the streets, writers around the world dropped pieces that captured our imagination and propelled the art forward. The artists were helped along by a few advances in the tools of the trade too. And, of course, galleries around the world continued to embrace the potential of transferring street art to fine art spaces. One lucky guy even became a millionaire.
We look back at the 10 defining moments that capture the highs and lows of graffiti in 2012.
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Written by Topsafe London.
10. Lewy on the Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most, if not the most notorious spots that has ever been painted in graffiti history. First painted by Smith & Sane in 1998, and then Sacer, this time it was Lewy BTM's turn.
9. Barry Mcgee Retrospective at Berkeley Art Museum
This retrospective was a landmark show in the career of Barry "Twist" McGee. In this clip, Jeffrey Deitch talks candidly about his relationship with Barry and why his work has also inspired him.
8. Klughaus Gallery
The Klughaus gallery in New York had a big 2012, with a constant stream of great shows showcasing writers such as Oblvn, Rime, Reyes & Steel, and London's very own ATG Crew. 2013 should be an even better year for them.
7. David Choe Becomes a Facebook Millionaire
David Choe become one of the richest artists in the world in 2012, thanks to a deal in 2003 that saw him get paid shares instead of cash for painting the Facebook offices in San Francisco.
6. Crack & Shine Season 2
A bit of favouritism, but 2012 was a good year for Topsafe & Crack & Shine. The Horfe "Death Is Home" film by Will Robson Scott was a highlight for us. Horfe's development as an artist and person was captured perfectly in this episode of Crack & Shine.
5. Saber in the Sky
Saber's skywriting over New York in September not only gave him the opportunity to shout out his crew-mates all over the city, but also garnered a huge amount of press in his campaign against presidential candidate, Mitt Romney's plans to cut funding from cornerstone national arts programs. As well as being a great piece of marketing, it was a truly innovative way of getting up.
4. Detroit
Detroit has become the new mecca for graffiti writers in recent years, and 2012 saw a huge uprise in writers from all over America and various corners of the world paying a visit. Revok's Detroit Beautification Project was one of the highlights. This is the latest spot that's popped up.
3. The New York Black Out
Hurricane Sandy provided writers in New York with the perfect opportunity to get up—with the likes of Katsu, Lewy, Kuma & False all taking full advantage of the black out. Keep an eye out for Disco Bryso's "Operation Blackout" 'zine, which documents the event.
2. Krink x MTN Can
The spraycan has been the tool of trade since graffiti begin, and this product was a major development in the tool.
1. Nekst Rest in Peace
The recent news of Nekst MSK D30 DTS untimely death has hit the graffiti world very hard. Nekst was one of the greatest of his generation, a dying breed of all-round graffiti writers. His death has seen an unbelievable outpouring of dedicated pieces and messages of remorse all over the world.
