Wall Writers: Graffiti in Its Innocence

by Roger Gastman, Caleb Neelon (Contributor), Chris Pape (Contributor)

Wall Writers explores graffiti's eruption into mainstream society in the period of social turmoil in the late 1960s and early '70s, and takes a closer look not only at early graffiti's place on the wall but its place in the culture of the time. More comprehensive than any other book on the subject, Wall Writers explores not only early graf writing itself but the writers creating it, the new technology of spray paint that made it possible, and the culture that drove them to write -- be it a need to rebel against the government, to pass a message, or simply be recognized by society. Hundreds of images of everything from spray paint advertisements to commercial greeting cards to images of buildings completely covered in spray painted monikers are included, and reveal the context of the beginnings of a movement that would eventually grow to "transform city life, public transit, public art, and ultimately visual art the world over." Includes interviews and profiles of some of the most prolific writers of the time, including TAKI 183, Cornbread, and dozens more.

Genres: Art

360 pages, Hardcover

First published December 15, 2015

Reviews

[Karen Kohoutek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a lot of graffiti art books, and this is probably the best! It focuses on the first generation of wall writers in Philadelphia and New York City, interviewing as many of the original participants as possible and creating a solid picture of their world and experiences. The book also contains an amazing array of illustrations (photos of the writing, the writers, archival media coverage and advertising).

It's an oversize book, and it has so much material, the text is in two columns. Which made the font a little smaller than usual, and I had to stop reading it until I got new glasses. But once I got the updated prescription, I jumped back in and devoured it!

[River Hobden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Good introduction into the history of graffiti and development of the start of the subculture, compiles good collections of images and good interviews asking different questions from other graffiti compilations I’ve read.