Spotted: Hebru Brantley

This Bronzeville/Douglas native who still lives and works in Chicago is one of the most publicly respected and recognized graffiti artists. 

Photo by Onasis from http://voices.suntimes.com/arts-entertainment/the-daily-sizzle/chicago-artist-hebru-brantley-hosts-pop-up-shop-during-lollapalooza/

His own statement claims that his style derives from "graffiti-worn buildings and sneaker-hung telephone poles honoring memories of local legends." (Isn't that what he is??)  Mythological heroes in cartoons and comic books are what inspired him to tell stories through his art.

From DoctorStick on http://www.flickr.com/photos/doctorstick/7625720382/

Bothered by black exploitation and science fiction in movies and on TV when he was younger, Brantley started to express himself visually. Among his influences are Romare Bearden, Keith Haring, Basquiat, and black folt art.

Poster by Hebru Brantley from http://theboard.lollapalooza.com/showthread.php?776-20th-Anniversary-Commerative-Poster

One thing that Brantley is very notorious for is his use of different surfaces and media including wood, spray paint, coffee, and tea. Even thought he has moved on from tagging walls to canvas art, he will always be remembered for his anime-like pieces in Chicago.

From http://themadeblog.com/tag/wicker/

Hebru Brantley has had his work exhibited in Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, L.A. & New York. Two of his pieces are currently being featured at the American Embassy in Stockholm throughout the remainder of the year. He has also worked for people/companies including: Lollapalooza, Jay Z, Nike, & Life + Times.

From http://tullman.blogspot.com/2011/11/tullman-collection-artist-hebru.html

BOREDgames

Last summer, new street artist, 'Bored' turned the streets of Chicago into it's very own Monopoly game.
It wasn't just spray paint and stencils...this was 3D.

This artist (or artists) bombed Logan Square and apparently other parts of the city throughout a few month period. When asked about the project by a journalist, Bored said, "the goal of this entire project has been to present something different than a stencil painted on the ground or a poster pasted to a wall. Something 3-dimensional that can be picked up, beaten down, kicked, yanked, grabbed, and broken. And if someone ever put forth the effort to remove it, like a weed it will always grow back. And if left alone it will evolve into something different."

Names on the property cards, Community Chest, and Chance cards were changed a bit to reflect the area. For example, there is no Albany Avenue in the real Monopoly game, but there is in Logan Square! Some Chance cards included real-word messages such as a Go To Jail card for "public douchebaggery" and a marriage proposal to a very lucky Carissa.

From http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2012/07/new-street-artist-bored-turns-chicago-sidewalks-into-an-alternative-monopoly-game/

From http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2012/07/new-street-artist-bored-turns-chicago-sidewalks-into-an-alternative-monopoly-game/

From http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2012/07/new-street-artist-bored-turns-chicago-sidewalks-into-an-alternative-monopoly-game/

For more info and photos visit Colossal 

Spotted: BANKSY

Photo by TEFennell4 on http://chicagoist.com/2010/05/10/banksy_in_chicago.php#photo-6

This guy found himself on the list of the world's 100 most influential people in 2010 Time magazine. I guess you could say he was in good company among Steve Jobs, Bill Clinton, Serena Williams, Barack Obama, and Oprah Winfrey.

He's a British graffiti artist who has bombed cities all around the world. We haven't seen his work in Chicago since 2010, but we want him back!
But he doesn't just decorate deteriorating walls. Banksy is also a film director, a political activist, and a painter.

From B.Easy on http://www.jugrnaut.com/blog/banksy-x-chicago/

We don't know a lot about him. It's believed that he was born in Bristol, England around '74.
He started his career as a graffiti artist in the early 90's with 'DryBreadZ Crew', a gang in Bristol. When Banksy started his work, it was mostly freehand, with stencils on occasion. Within 10 years, he changed up his style to regularly using stencils.

Banksy's style is is composed of unfamiliar and striking images often mixed with words or slogans. Around the world he has been known to combine his political activism with his street art. His designs include war critique, capitalism, and greed. Some common objects and images that signify it's a Banksy are rats, policemen, children, and apes.

Photo by Will Rice onhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/ricephoto/4606561135/

He may not be a Chicago native, but his work here has influenced numerous other artists.

Banksy has been M.I.A. for over a year, but there are rumors that he's about to strike again- sometime next month actually! The buzz says that he might hit L.A. for his rebirth, but we will just have to wait and see


His website: http://www.banksy.co.uk
Largest following of Banksy fan's Tumblr page: http://banksystreetart.tumblr.com

All of the photos included in this post are taken from spots in Chicago. The two without locations listed are definitely Banksy's as they once were included, therefore confirmed, on his website.