Building An Exhibit That Honors The History Of Stencil Graffiti

Mar 24, 2023,10:00am EDT

Today, some of society will associate street art and graffiti with youths "tagging" their signatures and slogans across abandoned buildings or monuments in towns and cities in an "antisocial" manner; however, it hasn't always been perceived this way.

The History Of Stencil Graffiti

Formed during a time of social and political unrest, the progressive street art movement tore its way through some of the world's major cities including London, Paris and New York, largely led by artists who began experimenting with different techniques, materials and styles to make their work more visibly prominent across urban landscapes.

Throughout the '70s and '80s, New York's golden age of street art produced some of the most well-known street artists in the world—many of whom played a significant role in the wider street art movement. Now, the work of such artists including Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat and, of course, Banksy, not only sell for millions at auction but are often acknowledged for breaking down the barriers between street art and fine art.

I have taken a particular interest in the work of Blek le Rat and Richard Hambleton in my gallery. Dubbed the "Father of Stencil Graffiti," Blek le Rat popularized stencil art when he began using the technique to create the iconic rat motif—symbolizing not only the urban environment but the marginalized members of society—which he spray painted on walls across Paris. Since his arrest in 1991—when street art was considered a crime—pre-stenciled posters of his work continued to spark controversy as he attempted to raise awareness of social issues such as homelessness.

Similarly, Richard Hambleton—otherwise known as the "Godfather of Street Art"—stenciled realistic depictions of crime scenes on the streets of New York using chalk and red paint to represent mass murder and homicide victims in the late '70s.

Curating And Marketing A Stencil Art Exhibit

Today, a cohesive show will include those artists who were not only able to address social and political messages through this medium but successfully bring discussion and debate to important, timeless topics through their work—for years to come. For this reason, when looking to curate or market a stencil art exhibit, these messages must be considered on a deeper level.

When choosing an artist for an exhibit, it's important to do your research and ensure the artist doesn't just produce artwork that looks good from face value, but also that each piece has its own meaning and story to tell. Consider the following questions:

• What is the artwork's narrative?

• What stories does the artist tell with each piece?

• How does one piece link to the next?

• What's the overall theme or message of the selected body of works?

It's then your job as a gallerist or curator to work with the artist to curate the space. First, do your research to understand the artist and their work—the language the artist speaks through their artwork. Then curate a space that tells that story for consumers to enjoy. Aim to create an experience that talks to those viewing it. I think these are the perfect ingredients when selecting an artist and building an exhibit that honors the history of stencil graffiti.

The gradual acceptance of street art into the mainstream art world has meant increased potential for those looking to curate spaces for up-and-coming names on the scene, with the most skillful artists successfully bringing discussion and debate to important, timeless topics through their work, for decades to come.