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Street to Gallery, Graffiti to Art – Brasilian street artists paint the embassy

words by Karim Khan

As ‘urban culture’ takes the baton from ‘pop culture’ as 21st century society’s most potent umbrella-term, Brasil has come to be known as one of the most important cities in the world in terms of talent. Any minor research into the Brasilian graffiti scene will unearth catchphrases that proclaim Brasil’s originality and deviance from the mere mono-colour tagging that adorns much of Europe’s streets. However this month, with the state-sponsored arrival of three of Brasil’s most eminent graffiti artists - Tinho, Pato and Flip - the evidence of national pride invested in such a creative and topical art form cannot help but delight struggling street artists everywhere.

The slightly startling April sunshine spills into the tiny but beautiful Gallery 32 on Green Street, and as I enter, the air immediately thickens with the heavy fumes of spray paint. Not vandals, but three of Brasil’s most celebrated street artists, engrossed and painting to a soundtrack of relaxed beats from a small sound system on the floor. It’s such a casual scene, you could almost forget that the Brazilian Embassy is literally next door. The three walls they are covering already bleed the colours of the rainbow, and they won’t be finished until the initial, private viewing on the 8th of April, the exhibition itself running until the end of the month.