Stencil Graffiti Capital: Melbourne

On the heels of other city-specific books documenting the phenomenon, the new monograph, Stencil Graffiti Capital: Melbourne, takes a look at stencil artists in the land down under. Organized into themed sections like, "Skulls," "Symbols," and "Sexy Ladies," it also includes artist profiles, reports on Melbourne's Stencil Festival (now in its second year), and highlights include a spread that surveys Banksy's visit to Melbourne. A …

First & Fifteenth

I love First & Fifteenth, a graphic novel by Steve Powers aka ESPO. I am tempted to tear out the pages and put them on my walls. But I love the stories too much. This book is done in an unique style of comic communication sans voice bubbles. It features urban parables using imagery from: the streets, signs and advertising. The short stories about scams …

Graffiti Brazil

In the past year, it has been almost impossible to pick up a magazine without reading about Brazilian graffiti superstars Os Gemeos (Portuguese for 'the twins'). “Graffiti Brasil,” a wide survey of Brazilian graffiti, introduces some of Os Gemeos’ São Paulo crew: Nina, Nunca, Ise, and Koyo, as well as lots of other interesting writers from São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Olinda, Belo Horizonte …