GRAFFITI ARCHIVE 1972/73: An Exhibition of Photographs from Gordon Matta-Clark #ArtTuesday

GRAFFITI ARCHIVE 1972/73: An Exhibition of Photographs from Gordon Matta-Clark #ArtTuesday

Source Node: 2505002

Have you ever had the experience of seeing graffiti as beautiful in cities when traveling? But then in our home town, graffiti can be seen as an eyesore? When we look into the past, we’re looking into a foreign country, as the saying goes. For us, the subways of 70’s New York may well be seen as beautiful. Gordon Matta-Clark’s GRAFFITI ARCHIVE 1972/73 bring together some of the photographer’s best images from a bygone ere. Here’s more from Brooklyn Street Art:

Instead of simply documenting, [Gordon Matta-Clark] delved into the graffiti scene with an artist’s eye, capturing the raw and spontaneous energy of the city’s youth. His photographs from 1972 and 1973 reveal the early days of graffiti, where the art form was more about personal expression and claiming space in a rapidly changing city than about the notoriety it would later bring.

Roger Gastman, a key figure in the graffiti community, has played a crucial role in bringing this collection to light…. “What really resonates with me is the sense of pride I feel to be able to share these photos,” he says. It’s not just about showcasing graffiti—it’s a genuine homage to real history, a glimpse into the ‘who,’ ‘what,’ and ‘where’ of these vibrant stories etched onto walls and trains. I can’t help but feel happiness, knowing that Gordon Matta-Clark had the foresight to capture these moments and that his estate entrusted us to put this show together—it has truly felt like a collaboration,” says Gastman.

See more!


Time Stamp:

More from Ada Fruit