Stencil Pirates

by Josh MacPhee

Stencil Pirates is the most comprehensive book dedicated to the street art of the stencil. The book contains an exhaustive collection of close to 1000 photographs from around the globe. The photos show work by hundreds of different artists, exposing the width and breadth of stencil graffiti, from political to abstract and purely aesthetic, from tagging to public announcements. Stencil Pirates offers in-depth writings on the complex history of stencil graffiti, its political context, and how stencils fit into the larger pantheon of street expression. It discusses stenciling as a way for political movements to resist and mark territory, whether as part of gentrification struggles in New York and San Francisco or as part of the general uprising in Argentina over the past couple years.



Stencil artists are the printmakers of the urban landscape, dropping art on sidewalks, walls, park benches, bus stops, store windows, etc. By far the most accessible form of printmaking, stencil artists simply need a piece of cardboard, a knife, a can of spray paint and something to express. Stenciling is a form of expression that boldly reclaims public space by inserting political or metaphysical messages into corporate landscapes.

Genres: Art, Street Art, Politics

180 pages, Paperback

First published July 13, 2004

About the author

Josh MacPhee, artist and activist, is the founder of the Justseeds Artists Cooperative, an organization that promotes radical art forms. He is the author of Stencil Pirates: A Global Study of the Street Stencil (2004) and co-edited Realizing the Impossible: Art Against Authority (2007) and Reproduce and Revolt (2008). MacPhee is also the curator of the printmaking exhibition Paper Politics, which has been on tour in the United States since 2004."

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau]

The history of this very controversial form of art; many pictures of stencils that have long ago been painted over. This modality of communication seems to be increasing; last time I was in San Francisco I was truly amazed at how many 'stents' I saw; everything from poetic meditations to political statements. Josh MacPhee has really looked into this form of 'urban hieroglyphics' extensively.

[Richard]

Stencil Pirates is the most comprehensive book dedicated to the street art of the stencil. The book contains an exhaustive collection of close to 1000 photographs from around the globe. The photos show work by hundreds of different artists, exposing the width and breadth of stencil graffiti, from political to abstract and purely aesthetic, from tagging to public announcements. Stencil Pirates offers in-depth writings on the complex history of stencil graffiti, its political context, and how stencils fit into the larger pantheon of street expression. It discusses stenciling as a way for political movements to resist and mark territory, whether as part of gentrification struggles in New York and San Francisco or as part of the general uprising in Argentina over the past couple years.

Stencil artists are the printmakers of the urban landscape, dropping art on sidewalks, walls, park benches, bus stops, store windows, etc. By far the most accessible form of printmaking, stencil artists simply need a piece of cardboard, a knife, a can of spray paint and something to express. Stenciling is a form of expression that boldly reclaims public space by inserting political or metaphysical messages into corporate landscapes.

[Snehal Bhagat]

A nice compendium of the stencilling variety of grafitti art that also contains useful advice for the wannabe vandal. While it doubtless meets a gap in the market, it's not easy to determine if the advice is tongue-in-cheek or not.

Placement: "Location is everything..."

Going out: "One of the biggest problems with stencils is that you have to carry them around and somehow still not look like you're causing trouble..."

Safety: "Safety is important in two very different ways. First, street stencilling is illegal...you shouldn't stencil unless you feel justified breaking the law and are willing to take the risks..."

Getaway: "There are two schools when it comes to getting caught, either you run or you don't...Running definitely increases the chances you'll get away..."

Key Message: "Everyone needs to figure out what works for them, and the only way to know that is to get out and try."

Clearly, despite the lack of a section devoted to how to grow your own weed, this is a must-have for the collection of every teenager. No aspiring anarchist should be caught without it.

[Dameon Launert]

Includes a brief how-to.

[Daniel Burton-Rose]

So authentic a record of street art I could smell the piss on the sidewalk and exhaust from passing traffic. Though MacPhee isn't shy about his likes and dislikes within the stenciling form, he's clear in explaining his preferences and criticisms, providing an admirably wide array of material.

[Missy]

One of my favorite examples of human expression in a nice collection. It is a controversial art form, but it is art.

[Mano (Leslie)]

huzzah for guerrilla art!

[Kristi]

Great documentation of stencil art...one of my favorite art forms. Also a friend of mine who is one of my favorite artists.

[Monty Python]

Gives you several stencils to have fun with-- but they're so small!

[Corbin]

Decent, but I was hoping for something a little more Banksy.

[Dana]

I appreciated the balance of critical/historical and practical information presented.

[Stephanie Harvey]

This book rocks. Advanced stenciling or novice will enjoy this book. It has lots of great ideas and tips for all types.

[Nick Si Jago Merah]

many stencil...
and soo pirates...
crazzy