Graffiti in Los Angeles 2008

Editor: Here we have Blek le Rat's "Graffiti in Los Angeles" from 2008, a striking mixed-media piece incorporating collage, stencils, photography, and posters. I’m immediately drawn to the stark contrast between the figures and the aged wooden background. What do you see in this piece through a formal lens? Curator: The work presents an intriguing study in contrasts. Note the juxtaposition of the seemingly raw, unadorned texture of the wood panel against the sharply defined stenciled figures. The grain of the wood asserts its materiality, acting as a disruptive ground against which the smooth application of the stencils occurs. Editor: So, the wood isn't just background, it's an active part of the composition? Curator: Precisely. Furthermore, consider the interplay of the two central images. The larger portrait on the left commands immediate attention, balanced, perhaps precariously, by the smaller, more ethereal figure on the right. The portrait is boldly graphic, almost confrontational, whilst the angelic form introduces a softer, almost lyrical element. Does this placement create tension in your view? Editor: Absolutely. There’s a clear imbalance that feels deliberate. The angel feels almost fragile against the solid portrait. I wonder about the effect of light on the artwork too, with its varied surface. Curator: The variations of tone, created by shadows cast on the artwork's surface, complicate the flat application of paint and collage. This brings dynamism, activating the planar surface of the support by disrupting the illusion. What impact does the collaged "OBEY" label, visible below the portrait, create? Editor: It breaks down any barrier of formality by introducing immediate signifiers of counter-culture. Thanks, I never really understood how a background and tonal shifts could play a key role in determining a work’s narrative until now. Curator: A closer consideration of intrinsic qualities often unlocks novel methods for engaging and understanding diverse modes of art practice.