THU/6-NOVEMBER 23: "ONE BIG ROOM FULL OF BAD BITCHES" Women have a huge hand in graffiti culture and it's always a gas to see them in the spotlight. This group exhibition celebrating queer, femme, and women-identifying artists in graffiti, featuring contributions from Xara Thustra, Lophi, Schatzi, Kolekt, UHOH, and Misia-all anchored by a solo showcase from Alrad called Everything Bad Comes Something Good. Opening reception Thu/7, 5pm-9pm. SWIM Gallery, SF. More info here.
Gordon Matta-Clark is best known for his "cuttings" of abandoned and derelict structures in 1970s New York, which made open-air sculptures out of symbols of decay and were seen as an early exercise in deconstructivism. Besides slicing up piers and houses, he also founded an experimental gallery at 112 Greene Street in Soho and Food, the legendary artist-run restaurant that he co-created with Carol Goodden and Tina Girouard, which, like the building cuts, blurred the boundary between art-making and life.
Canterbury Cathedral has drawn the attention of some unexpected critics for its unconventional new art installation. Featuring graffiti-style stickers answering the question "What would you ask God?", the display intends to creatively broadcast earnest questions of faith, but some think the installation is in poor taste. While graffiti fonts will always be divisive thanks to their historical connection with vandalism, views have shifted over the decades as street art has become a legitimised genre of contemporary design.
Residents in Camden filed more than 14,000 graffiti reports in the last three years, according to figures obtained under Freedom of Information legislation. This is equivalent to 6,582 complaints per 100,000 people, showing how the line between vandalism and art has been tested locally. Camden has gained notoriety in recent years for its vibrant street art, featuring large-scale murals to former residents such as Amy Winehouse.
Street art, like other forms of art, seeks to express creativity and culture, whereas tags often feel like mindless scrawls that detract from the beauty of the city.
Our guide emphasized the significance of street art in Bogotá, framing it as an evolving narrative that reflects the city’s culture, politics, and community spirit.