The Bat Goes Mainstream

Graffiti is a type of art that has recently become more popular. It can be seen everywhere, from sidewalks to billboards. As such, many street artists have become more popular as well. However, some tend to sell out and use their art as an excuse to gain more popularity or to make a quick buck. One of these artists is Neckface.

Neckface is a graffiti artist that started tagging in Sacramento his junior year of high school and spread his work to Stockton, Lodi and San Francisco. He eventually moved to New York City and attended The School of Visual Arts before dropping out, stating it sucked a certain male body part. He was eventually able to take his work in art galleries. Along with graffiti, Neckface also skates. As such, he has collaborated with brands Vans footwear and Altamont clothing along with other skate companies, and has become the art director for Baker skateboards.

Neckface is an example of artists selling themselves out. I don't do it myself, but I understand that graffiti is supposed to be underground and the fact that it has gone mainstream disappoints me. It's slowly moving from billboards to art venues, and artists are starting to cash in on this. I like Neckface's humorously grotesque style, but he along with others have basically taken what the form of art was made from and turned it into the exact opposite for their own benefit. In all, today's graffiti has become the demented child of what it used to be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPI9OFLeqgA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neck_Face