Graffiti Beyond the Surface: Steve Grody at TEDxSitka

When Grody saw spray can murals popping up around Los Angeles, he immediately recognized their creativity and verve. Since 1990, he has been driving across L.A., exploring its back alleys, washes and abandoned lots in search of graffiti. Over the years he has cultivated trust among L.A.'s most prolific, skilled and infamous graffiti 'writers,' allowing him access to obscure locations. Through a series of artist interviews, Grody has clarified their motivations, thoughts on creativity and the troublesome topic of illegality. His obsessive drive to document this distinctive youth underground has resulted in an archive of over 20,000 images. From this he chose the best work to illustrate the range of styles and approaches of this urban phenomenon in his book Graffiti L.A.: Street Styles and Art (Abrams 2007). In 2011 his photographs were included in the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art's "Art of the Streets" exhibition and catalogue. He was also co-curator of "Street Cred: Graffiti Art from Concrete to Canvas" at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. See also: graffitila.com
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[@adamdude58]

Thanks this is great!!! Graffiti saved my life! Its is the true "modern art", invented by youth and it exists on its own, without money, without approval, and brings life to the streets! Public space is where expression can run free!!!

[@thecaffeinefiend]

You managed to pull off, arguably, the greatest book, documenting graffiti culture in L.A. that I've ever read. The enormous wealth of knowledge that I saw in your book was unbelievable. I've been a graffiti writer since 2002, way before graffiti became an accepted form of art by the media. I'm amazed at how many legendary graffiti artists you were able to interview for your book. You covered every single era of Los Angeles graffiti history, all the way to the very beginning. Truly amazing.

[@josecarrillo9314]

Very good friend of mine...godfather of street art and graff writer photography...well respected..blessings Steve!

[@mouija1450]

I remember going into Greenpoint Brooklyn from New Britain, CT on the train to mail boxes of stuff to my family back in Poland. I saw and sat with tons of graffiti at the time (82-86) and asked my Mom what it was and she had no answer. Sometimes the train smelled like my grandfather's booze breath. Fast forward into my age of 10-12 going to the lumber yard with my Dad and I loved looking at the rack of spray paint colors. Somewhere around the age of 6-8 I got bored on a summer afternoon, wandered into my Dad's basement workshop because it was cool, started playing with his spray paint shelf and got whipped very hard for using the door as an art piece. Clearly some people are born to be writers. I started bombing in September 1995 and never stopped. The price of a couple dozen modern spraycans slows me down, but I try to drop a handful of heavy pieces each year. I won't even delve deep into the lifelong bonds that I've formed with my graffiti family. I would consider my bond with a few friends to be just as strong as family, if not moreso. We've been in heavy situations and came through for each other. I've had other "friends" leave me out to dry. You never know how much inner strength you have until it gets tested. Some people are willing to stand at the wall and some aren't. Painting graffiti for 20+ years, sometimes it feels like war and you need to assert yourself or get run over. I'd rather be part of a community, but some people just don't play nice. You learn to deal with bad apples that crop up every couple years. Lately it's "artists" that like to stencil and wheatpaste over whatever makes a good instagram photo. They're like bedbugs to me. Super awful during the fall (new to art school) but they die off when the snow hits.

[@og_derse]

9:33-10:00 giving props to my SKArnal, the triple-OG, Mr. PRYER One SKA.UTI.WCA.7thLetter.... That's what's up...

[@zoykssable]

I'm gonna make sure everyone at my hip-hop "place" knows about this and how you are a very good representation of what expression is

[@GraffitiLA1]

For those interested, the name of my book is "Graffiti L.A.: Street Styles and Art."

[@og_derse]

Mad props to you Steve... Thanks for mentioning my SKArnal, MR. PRYER ONE who is one of the most underrated Graffiti artists in this worldwide scene.. Validated as a Triple OG and if anyone knows him well, they would all agree with me.. Thanks again.. El DERSE LOKO from SKA crew since 1988...GRAFFITI SAVED MY LIFE!!!!

[@cesarmadrigalphooe]

Excellent presentation Mr. Grody and thank you for using uscas a good example U T I

[@Piscesgyal26]

Great talk - I too, photograph and appreciate street art! There are so many talented artists out there!

[@mrbravo9473]

Beautiful

[@mouija1450]

That Crae toss is really good.

[@frogskta5450]

U da man steve!

[@user-ef7rz5yk4q]

Big mouth?

[@grafflifekings7821]

the people that are risking there life's climbing poles to hit free way sights and roof tops are called heaven spots and the kids that don't know the rules to graffiti are called toyz

[@frazerholt6069]

Well presented Steve :)

[@LivingWalks]

I have just started filming some of the best street art walks in Europe on our youtube channel (Malaga and Bristol to begin with) - it's been a pleasure to do this with no ad's or agenda - just an appreciation. Thanks I really enjoyed the video and have subscribed.

[@EntreGravedad]

Cheers Steve...

[@GraffitiLA1]

Outerspaceguy: the sound you hear from time to time is that the microphone was placed too close to my throat, and when I turned my head and the mic would touch my throat, it would make that odd sound.

[@markmeiri7744]

Great Talk - ps how is your martial "arts" training going?

[@chrongen13]

hah the homie Pryer UTI!

[@shiningstarrynight]

What was the last thing he says? see it as expression rather than just as ____?

[@xSha2d]

1st