#20 Memorials

Part 1 of a grand tradition

Above: A memorial wall for Sleez, Cash and Jack by the K2S-STN-LOD family in their immediately identifiable style, Pico Gardens, 2022

As a human tradition, memorial murals would of course be very much a part of graffiti culture, with large walls to little RIP tags across the city and beyond. While some of the writers memorialized have had more impact on the scene than others, they were all of importance in terms of the social bond that develops in graffiti culture.

All images copyright Steve Grody.

Above: Ayer LTS was a particularly inspiring writer noted for his drive and pushing boundaries. This wall, recreating his tag at the top, was done by Dreye, Fishe, Dooby, JRock and Arby, Highland Park, 2015.

As with all of the walls seen in this post, the writers bring scads of skill and personal expression to bear, and the focus is on keeping memories alive, so this post is for all interested in this documentary presentation but particularly for the L.A. community.

Above: Memorial for Dash2000 by UTI crewmates El Mac, Kofie and Plek, South East Hollywood, 2012.

Above: Memorial portraits of DJ Rob and Skate CBS by Mear, Melrose, 2015

Above: Norm, by Aloy, Industrial Boyle Heights, 2020. Norm was not just a skilled graffiti writer, but a major figure in tattoo culture, and was central in getting L.A. tattoo styles spread around the globe.

Above: A fine tribute to Trigz ICR MSK by Trav, Hollywood, 2014

Above: Tribute to Provoke, Noxin and Photo of WAI crew, by Plek, South Downtown, 2015

Above: Tributes to Nekst MSK by Rime and Aloy, Hollywood, 2013

Above: Tribute to Serch, a beloved UTI member that, while he didn’t have the time to paint walls as much as he would have liked, got his stickers up. By Never, Skolar, Bleek, Borat, Plek and Dzah, Mid City, 2021

And for the paid and trial subscribers, thank you! (“Less than the cost of a fancy coffee or beer for a month of posts!”): Tributes to Tempt, Cash, Jack and Norm; Tar OTR; Ayer/Kuzz/Kub/Verse; Gil One; Jailer; Erie and one more great one to Ayer!