#14 Representation

A Wide Cast of Characters

Above: Axis, Mid Wilshire, 2011

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All images copyright Steve Grody

As mentioned in my first post, “characters” is the traditional term of choice for figurative elements in modern graffiti culture because comic book characters served as a dominant source of inspiration. Flat, bold, graphic faces and figures were common early on and still are used to the present day as a stylistic choice among many.

Above: Classic flat profile B-Boy posed figure as part of a UTI Crew production, mid city, 2009

While many pop and underground comic illustrators were inspirational, Vaughn Bodē held a particular place in the hearts of graffiti character work as seen in another UTI production in the San Fernando Valley, 1999, below.

Along with these cartoon-inspired approaches, many kids also started working on the full range of traditional rendering skills such as core shadows, cast shadows and highlights.

Above: Two approaches to the figure, Kopye on the left and Cale (working on his piece) on the right. K2S Crew, Little Tokyo yard, 2012.

Above: Supercrazyfunk; K4P Crew portraits of members by Chelo except for the far right figure by Sims. K4P in general has a super funky fun style, South Central 2009

Above: Also clocking in with a raw let’s-have-fun spontaneity, PDB (originally “Please Don’t Buff,” buff meaning to paint over the work) clearly were just riffing on the wall to good effect, with Ruets, Ewsoe, Gable, Tvee, down at the end of a dodgy alley along the tracks in El Sereno, 2009.

Above: Mear, always bringing a highly skillful effort, most frequently of a spiritual or political content. Silver Lake, 2011. All freehand with spray paint folks!

Above: Haste, with a Baron Samedi theme (Jaber in red above and Jaws/Bond character on the right by Axis)

Above: Asylm representing his crew SH (Seeking Heaven/Sky High) along with personal symbols, a hummingbird (“colorful, but not friendly”) and spray paint caps, with the white arrow pointing northeast (L.A.), the location of the base of the crew. Little Tokyo, 2009.

Above: Vyal, of COI, LOD and K2S crews is a writer that really focused on his character work even more than his letters. Naud Junction (North Chinatown) 2012.

Above: Swank, of SH Crew is another standout with the way he models his forms, always bringing a strong sense of whimsey to his images. Commerce Tracks, 1996.

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