Beijing street artists taking graffiti in China to the next level, transforming the city – and even getting paid for it
Graffiti is blooming in pockets of Beijing despite official disapproval of street art, and some of the artists trying to make a living out of it have found that corporate customers are willing to pay for their striking works
Colourful, funky graffiti art has adorned the walls along Jingmi Road in Beijing’s Chaoyang district for years. Andy Chen, 32, claims to be the first person to have left his mark here in 2010.
One of the five-member collective ABS, Chen and his cohorts are among the few graffiti artists active in the Chinese capital.
Despite official disapproval of street art, which is regarded as vandalism, graffiti is blooming in pockets of Beijing. The reason, graffiti artists say, is the rising popularity of Western subculture, as well as hit local television shows such as Street Dance of China and The Rap of China.
In 2010, ABS organised the first “Meeting Neighbourhood” in Beijing, an annual street culture carnival showcasing graffiti, street dance, hip hop, retrofitted cars and DJ music. Last year’s event, in November, was held in Chaoyang’s 22RT International Art Plaza, with Chinese rappers Bridge and OG Rolly, Chicago-based psych pop duo Gosh, and American fashion and graphic designer Jeff Staple taking part.
With limited-edition sneakers on sale, Nike-sponsored skateboard ramps, and accessory-making and tattoo workshops, the festival has become a popular hang-out for sneakerheads and hipsters. According to Chen, the event has grown bigger each year – something that has benefited ABS, which doubles as a graffiti design company.
“We do commercial graffiti to make a living, and we get plenty of business opportunities from the event,” Chen says. “We never sought any clients; all of them approached us for cooperation.”