Top: S.Brännström - Subwaystation in Stockholm
Bottom left: Karma in Kilroy#9
Bottom Right: Spione in Kilroy#9

Leaving a trace


Text: Ruskig
Translation: Ulrika Mars

Susann Brännström Artist resident in Stockholm.
Temporary principal of Art academy Valand in Gothenburg.

Do you paint graffiti?

No, not exactly. There are similarities in our way of painting. Adding surfaces and structures. As I see it, graffiti painting in method works with complementing different elements of life and popular culture with gestures & expressions earlier used in art-history, advertising or comics. Graffiti artists do this with ease.

Can you develop this or give an example?

Susann leafs thru the last issue of Kilroy. She compares a DJ sampling from different genres and stiles. Finding a Karma-picture she says: I see influence from advertising illustration, different directions within modernism, for instance Mondrian's simple line compositions of early 20th century, but also Swedish 80-90?s and a romantic abstract expressionism. (Leafing on) Graffiti seems inspired by art history, and different types of contemporary art, like cubism, futurism, Dadaism, constructivism, surrealism, pop art, cartoon-art. But also the contemporary art dealing with society, identity, and language. This picture by Spi One is a bit different, almost sculptural. Here the expression lies within the strength of the shape.

Generally, I find an incredibly positive will to communicate, to be seen and to have a space. To partake in influencing the environment we live in. The so-called public space is increasingly being privatised and commercialised by businesses and corporation's demands on space. How public is our public space? How included are we in shaping public areas? These young people's will to partake in influencing feels both logical and important and should be taken seriously as they are our future. Adults ought to take their responsibility to ensure that writers don't lose their enthusiasm and conviction.

Can you read into these pictures anything that relates to narcotics or any kind of criminality?

The pictures themselves don't. The opposite. They mediate constructive energy. It isn't possible either to make a painting like this, considering the composition, the technique or the swiftness it's made in, to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. I don't think graffiti artists want to be criminal; they just want a space. What look illegal are the sites.

Why are there graffiti artists? What's the motivation?

Young people have been marginalized during the 80?s and 90?s. During the worst cutbacks, it was this age group being treated the worst. (They aren't allowed to vote and they don't need day-care, so why bother with them?) Graffiti is a sign that they still have taken some space. Painters show their will to be a part of, and not be marginalized. Maybe the difference becomes more evident in comparison with skinheads who close themselves and create a distance towards society, whilst graffiti painters show their existence and will to partake. Painters try to change an often ugly environment. To me that gives hope for the future.

Why, do you think we have a vibrant (colourful) graffiti-scene, whilst painting is becoming increasingly unusual in the academic art-schools?

This is something that's been clear especially in Sweden and the Swedish schools originating from the debate on "the death of painting" that went on during the 90?s. There is such a fear about not being "in". The point with graffiti is that it's direct, visual, decorative, communicating, non-commercial, anti-elitist, social and political. This might be just what the contemporary art-scene lacks the most. Graffiti doesn't try to adapt to current opinion about what sells in the art-scene. (Not yet.)

At NKS we've always felt it was an asset to have had students with experience of graffiti painting, they already know a lot about shape and colour, about images as a language and they see the possibilities about using them to communicate. They often have social and political convictions that they express in their work, which is also stimulating for the other students.

Tags? Are tags aesthetics (=art) or property damage?

Tags are like a brand or a trace, many are dull and feel like a waste, some have expression and strength. It would be fun to see and exhibition with only Tags.

Have you ever seen any particular graffiti piece that has made an impression on you?

I've seen many, I saw one I liked especially not that long ago, near the Katarina church, it suited the place perfectly. (I hope it was legal.) I look at the pieces I see outside, along train tracks and so forth. Unfortunately, many are done in places I never visit, hidden in tunnels and other remote places. I liked the exhibition on södermalm (Stockholm Underground).

About zero-tolerance: In dictatorships they forbid artistic means of expression. On the topic of graffiti painters going over other artist's work: There is graffiti that's better than commissioned artwork. But I don't think graffiti should "go over" it. Maybe they have feeling of alienation or a class-difference? SL ought to save space on the slussen-station for graffiti; instead of the drawings that are showed there- usually they haven't worked in that format anyway. S.Brännström Photo Danderyds metro-station 1990 On her work for the metro-station: During the night before the inauguration graffiti painters went over both the art and the walls around it, but it wasn't destroyed, it was only re-signed with someone else's Tag. It was a bit of a joke...