Graffiti at Ars – The Message from the Chairman

Graffiti at Ars!
The focus is on the work of Julius Martin Gartler (1968–2008), one of the first major graffiti artists from Leiden. His oeuvre is presented through videos of his pieces, examples of his post-graffiti work, and his street art. In the courtyard, a wooden wall is set up where contemporary graffiti artists can spray new works. The atmosphere is completed with hip-hop music and breakdancing.

During the opening on Sunday, August 24 at 4:00 PM, the book The Message from the Chairman by Leiden-based author Remco Koopman will be presented. The first copy will be handed over to Nicole Roepers, curator of contemporary art at Museum De Lakenhal.

The Message from the Chairman provides an insight into the work and worldview of Julius Martin Gartler. In the mid-1980s, he was among the first Leiden graffiti artists in the "Modern Style" (Style writing). Due to a muscular disease, he became wheelchair-bound in the 1990s. From that point on, he focused on street art (murals) and post-graffiti (canvas works), movements that later gained worldwide recognition with artists such as Banksy and Basquiat. Gartler’s work has been preserved and continues to be highly valued.

Live Graffiti
The exhibition runs from August 24 to September 7. Every weekend, artists from the Leiden scene of the 1980s and 1990s will create live graffiti works: reinterpretations of Gartler’s pieces. Other artists are also welcome. After each weekend, the wall is painted white again to make space for new works.

Participating Graffiti Artists

August 24: Popeye, RIPS, El Zoré

August 31: DAYS, SCAGE, DRES

September 7: ZEDS and Hork