Cool Hunting
by Ariston Anderson
Artist Steve Powers is leaving his infamous ESPO (Exterior Surface Painting Outreach) tag behind as he returns to his native city of Philadelphia for a collaboration with the Mural Arts Program to revive the lost art of sign painting.
Setting up a temporary school in Philadelphia to teach locals the art of sign painting, the former graffitist plans to utilize their newly acquired skills on a large-scale mural project spanning across the city.
Powers recently released photos of the first two completed walls, featuring the first two lines of a love letter, eventually bridging 50 walls and roof tops in West Philadelphia. To be read by passengers on the Market-Frankford elevated train, Powers explains "The letter is meant for one with meaning for all, and in a larger sense, will be for West Philly from West Philly."
The project represents the best kind of street art, one that both involves the community and comes from a deeply personal place. Using a street marking to tell a story is a theme Powers continues to explore, both in his book on the history of graffiti, "The Art of Getting Over," and in his future personal projects.
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Front Frame Collection
Golden Orb Spider Silk
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