ATX
URBAN
ART
Layers of Graffiti, Street Art, Murals,
and Mosaics in Austin, Texas
128
ARTIST FEATURES
700
PAGES
2000+
PHOTOGRAPHS
Decades of artistic evolution on the streets of Austin, Texas have culminated in ATX Urban Art, a first-of-its-kind book showcasing the city’s graffiti, street art, murals, and mosaics from the 1950s to today.
“The beautiful thing about a spray paint can is the freedom that comes with it.”
— SLOKE ONE
ATX Urban Art comprises everything from the first ever mural in Austin painted in 1949 to the birth of graffiti in the ‘80s and street art in the early 2000s up to the boom of murals and mosaics seen all across the city today… And everything else in between.
All four chapters will give Austin residents and visitors alike a deeper understanding of the city as well as the visual artists and vandals behind the ever-evolving tapestry of urban art in our streets.
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Graffiti is an eyesore to some — a sign that the system is failing or property values are falling — while others see the artistic expression, bold political messaging, and relentless work ethic of brave writers risking life and freedom. Here in Austin, graffiti has sprawled across the city since SKAM and SEK put up pieces in the early 80s. From tags and throws to intricate pieces and awesome productions, we’ve highlighted some of the city's most prolific and influential graffiti writers over the last 40 years, cataloging these moments of existence before they’re painted over and gone forever.
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Street Art encompasses many techniques and textures like stencil art, pasted posters, stickers slapped on utility boxes, sculptures glued to walls, and suspended fiber art that all come together to form a collective urban collage. Street artists often use the urban environment to make their voices heard through political commentary, memorials, positive messages, or simply colorful artwork, and we're giving them another platform to do just that.
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Murals encompasses everything from elaborate advertisements to community and cultural narratives. Muralists have been carving out unique styles in Austin since the 50s, coupling their artistic vision and community support with clients who give them free rein to put up meaningful work on their walls. Over the years, it has become virtually impossible to drive around the city without seeing complex colors and compositions splashed across walls at every turn. Ranging from the most recognizable and Instagrammable South Congress murals of today to the culturally important Chicano murals on the Eastside, this chapter showcases the diverse range of artwork and talented artists brightening our city in a big way.
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Mosaics are arguably the most laborious and permanent of the urban art forms. Many of these skilled artists and artisans work with volunteers from the community to complete large-scale, ambitious public art projects meant to last for decades. But the medium of mosaics is also diverse, with other artists opting for smaller fine art pieces or guerilla installations on the streets.
