Graffiti Alley / Style in Progress '05

ea: 18th Jul 2005 - 23:51 GMT

ridiculous. I should be paying to see photos of this work.

jeeff: 19th Jul 2005 - 07:09 GMT

i wish i was half the paint junkie most of these guys are, though there are definitely some aspects of the graffiti "scene" that i'm not into.

elaine: 19th Jul 2005 - 09:33 GMT

with you there, jeeff, though i was specifically referring to your 'in passing' comment about the smell, my liking for which has got me not into glue sniffing or anything sordid, but certainly a high tolerance for long hours with toxic chemicals, the worst of which was probably when i was a prop maker, doing things like making big rubbish for cats (the musical). this kind of work always seems more exciting than it really is, and exposes you to the worst possible cocktails... but i still do a 'bisto kid' whenever i am near paint

Peter: 20th Jul 2005 - 13:43 GMT

im wondering if "that sweet smell" isnt in reference to something completely different than paint fumes ;)

Peter: 20th Jul 2005 - 13:43 GMT

also: jeeff- great shots man... im really psyched that you shared this with us. superlative!!

elaine: 20th Jul 2005 - 14:56 GMT

hah, yes, probly. just goes to show my natural inlinations are more solvent based!

Manifest: 20th Jul 2005 - 15:15 GMT

If I am not mistaken that's the Kennsington district of Toronto. It was systematically destroyed with similar works when I was there. Good shit

exxell: 20th Jul 2005 - 15:15 GMT

i wish i was their paintin ....that shyt looks like fun toronto here i come ...mad props toall them peeps up north

toby: 20th Jul 2005 - 15:16 GMT

looks like everyone had fun..............only pic i could read was that "child" jammie......?? do they have black people in canada?? ;-)

Al Aise: 20th Jul 2005 - 15:17 GMT

big props to my Montreal fellas in blue

Ether Scan n Shok

Real-er than real: 20th Jul 2005 - 15:18 GMT

Legal 'graffiti' is lame, fuck all you hipster fucks who don't get your hands dirty.

graffiti is illegal

Peter: 20th Jul 2005 - 15:28 GMT

piranha erem: 20th Jul 2005 - 15:30 GMT

cauz im sure none of those writers have ever done any illegal work before, eh? :pppp fuck the haters. graf is graf, no matter what the context, fool.

ella lumpkins: 20th Jul 2005 - 15:39 GMT

This is really amazing...
There is nothing like this where I live (in Louisville KY) althought there are buisnesses that have to get their walls repainted monthly because a lot of people have gotten into street art the past few years outside of writing on mailboxes and payphones.

Thanks for putting this on the net, it's really awesome to see places doing things like this. This is so rad!!!!

-ella

Meantime: 20th Jul 2005 - 16:23 GMT

Yeah, that looks like a lot of fun. I've been up to Vancouver and it was great! Hopefully I can get out that way one day. RIP CHILD

cespr: 20th Jul 2005 - 17:25 GMT

that shit is off the hook. props to the photographer/writer for taking these flicks and puttin em here for all to see

jeeff: 21st Jul 2005 - 01:51 GMT

manifest: close. kensington market begins at dundas, one major block north of queen & graffiti alley. the market stretches up to college street. it's another good place to see graffiti/street art, and definitely one of my favourite neighbourhoods.

(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington_Market)

myelectricheart: 21st Jul 2005 - 02:15 GMT

that fucking sucks. i live in the building thats right behind this alley and i pass through there all the time. i had no idea they were going to do something like this there or i would have went to check it out. :(

zoinx boston: 28th Jul 2005 - 15:25 GMT

wtf i want a better flick of the zealot.

green: 5th Aug 2005 - 18:46 GMT

thanks for the coverage
i'm looking for your email J
i made my way into yer documentation
very good
what's the feelings about work gettin crossed out
lil graffiti drama? for the kids
laughin havin fun
peace
green

Sez1: 10th Aug 2005 - 02:10 GMT

Good shit, dudes. Aside from Toronto being a concrete Swamp, yer lookin' like you make it on the books for these bombs. Don't worry about "legal vs illegal" >> it's all in how many pointy tails you can fit in one piece and still walk home after. Queens is one of the areas that actually "hops" in Hogg-Town, so live & let live. As far as i'm concerned, Vancouver is still the Graf Capital of Kanada. (so there! :)
Sez1

rubyspirit: 29th Aug 2005 - 01:26 GMT

i'm going to make an icon out of the sun. thanks

Anonymous (dhcp-0-11-2f-75-3c-43.cpe.quickclic.net): 4th Sep 2005 - 01:24 GMT

asustas

jeeff: 14th Sep 2005 - 05:37 GMT

thanks chino. if you have any pictures of chicago or graf to share, please post!

Anonymous (MTL-HSE-ppp179919.qc.sympatico.ca): 18th Sep 2005 - 22:23 GMT

i actually went to this place on friday...its even more amazing in real life. i love it all.

StripesA4: 18th Oct 2005 - 00:56 GMT

those picks is so fucking hot man i waana check thsi out got specific dates?

138: 25th Oct 2005 - 03:53 GMT

come on, it's not graff if it's legal. it's just not. It's like art or something, but there's nothing really cool about it, and only artists should pay attention to it. If you can take all the time you want painting a piece, then what's the point? If you had to do an illegal piece, it'd look like shit. You really can't just bomb for a few years and think you've paid your dues, and can paint legals the rest of your life. If you don't put up enough illegal shit, you have to lay off and feel guilty, and not try to claim any props for a while. You can always get back into it. It's no big deal. It just takes a little balls, and remembering why you got into it in the first place. If you only liked the way it looked, legal or otherwise, you never would have gotten out of your black-book, or canvas or whatever and onto walls. It has to be about getting-away-with-it. It has to be unloved. When it's vandalism, it's ours. When it's ART, then it's just like all the rest of art, and artist should stick with calling themselves artists. Why try to be hip, when you only like the way things look, and don't care about crime?

Peter: 25th Oct 2005 - 13:35 GMT

i think its just about putting cool stuff on walls. not everyone feels as passionately about the "criminal" element to graf as others do. i agree with some of what youre saying, but i think its sort of reactionary to say "theres nothing cool about it". i see some names, up in those photos, of folks who have quite a record for crominal bombing, real masters. so yeah. peep the "child" piece.

nope..: 8th Nov 2005 - 15:18 GMT

real writers stay underground.. thats it. the fact is graff will never be legal. "people are just afraid of what they dont understand"

DSK1: 8th Nov 2005 - 15:36 GMT

thanks for speaking for all graf writers, "nope". thanks as well for alienating graffiti fans by saying trite yet ultimately meaningless things like "people are just afraid of what they dont understand".

i dont think anyone is actually afraid of graffiti. and i think plenty of people (here, and in other places) do definitely understand it.

bec: 17th Nov 2005 - 14:56 GMT

these piecies of art work should b reckonised and it should be made legal in more places because thn ppl wouldnt jus do it anywhere because there would b certian places to do it

Pounder: 7th Dec 2005 - 12:29 GMT

i think graffiti isn't just underground, we've all just seen proof that it's not. Are you sayin that because they aren't seeking in and paint that studd on walls, that it makes them less of an artist. Isn't that the point of graffiti for people to see you work and gain respect for it. If it isn't then seeking in at night makes graff wirters nothing more then the dogs that shit on my lawn in the middel of the night. Come on your better then that right ?

Iris: 16th Jan 2006 - 00:46 GMT

That's amazing. It almost makes me want to haul my ass up to Canada.

qsdl: 9th Feb 2006 - 04:40 GMT

Graffiti Alley has a name!! ---- Rush Lane. Perfect, eh?
The best spot for dis shit is at the intersection of Rush Lane & McDougall Lane

-> mace 2 : 19th Feb 2006 - 15:32 GMT

yo whether its legla or not its so fun to paint, i think being good at both and getting up with diffent forms of graf is the best way. So however you express your art is up to you........... - the toy smashin MACE 2....

XENZ: 23rd Feb 2006 - 13:46 GMT

done in daylight or the dead of night its about skills not laws not wether its legal or ilegal it doesnt matter if your allowed, if your getting payed or even if its pure damage its about style and originality its about being you. everyone can try it but not everyone can do it.
http://xenz.org/
i want to come and paint there... sort it please
info@xenz.org

unknown-ott: 22nd Mar 2006 - 00:21 GMT

great peices...abit to legal for my taste,i was recently arrested for a petty little tag inthe local mall and am now band from the area..i find i probobly do it for the adrenalin, and i probobly had more of it doing my shit in bathroom stalls then these guys on legal walls. to me, bombing isint bombing if you dont need to secure your spot and look over your shoulder every ten secconds when your finishing up that peice and you know when people are gonna look at it there gonna know you got the balls to do it in a place that heat. and when they walk by this legal shit (not saying the shit aint shit) but they wont think the same about you. earn your popularity.

peace out, fuck NONE and the HF crew in Ottawa
sincerely "Restart" in ottawa

Peter: 22nd Mar 2006 - 02:08 GMT

earn your popularity... in bathroom stalls? lol. there are some legendary people flicked above, and you gotta admit it and show respect.

ive bombed walls and tagged stalls and the whole gamut... but rarely with the skills of these folks. legal or not, you gotta feel it. adrenaline or not... etc.

Eric: 23rd Mar 2006 - 23:06 GMT

Man this is some asome SHIT as a writer myself these guys got STYLE!!!!!

def one: 26th Mar 2006 - 14:58 GMT

i was part of the SIP crew in 2005 and it was a hot! i was gonna paint when there was a few open walls that popped up but i wnated to get video of everyone else paintin.... the was alot more to the festival than what you see here... anyone that would like to chat about it or is interested in a fully edited, feature length video documenting the whole festival contact me at djcorn@hotmail.com

michele: 30th Apr 2006 - 20:34 GMT

As my younger son was looking at this site I took a look and was really impressed. i try to encourage my son to be passionate about something and so far art and grafitti are his biggest interests, i don't use the word grafitti loosely, he knows the difference, for those of you with the negative commnents you probably don't know andy warhol's work and if so how could you put this down. i'd love to know of a place my son could practice legally grafitti work, this could be a start to other types of art. dearprudence530@msn.com if you could give an answer for the new york, newyork esp. brooklyn i'd appreciate

jamie: 8th May 2006 - 23:59 GMT

i like graffitti it is a way in which i express my love and passion for this great art.

matthew: 14th May 2006 - 16:59 GMT

yo i love graffiti i wanted to know where to do it at.that is mad hot

thomas: 19th May 2006 - 22:39 GMT

Some crazy shit going on here, I write but so far I've only just gotten up iu Kitchener that shit town.

Rage.2: 8th Oct 2006 - 23:33 GMT

Aight, sick shit. K-town got shit for graff, right now we just pissin round and usin our ways roudn the streets with no one to say shit otherwise. Anyone who tags in K-Town keep the eye out.

Timma: 13th Oct 2006 - 09:10 GMT

Canada Rocks , Toronto's grafiti is so Unique,Some of the best people start here,The big city. A.K.A. Young NY for a reason not only are grafitti that run's almost a mile and ever corner u look. But be cause we are unique and we Respect are self's and comunity, Unity + Comunication= comunity

ATM. : 13th Oct 2006 - 09:14 GMT

I love these pic's, There's only one problem. A true artist should not have to write his name on his work. He should be proud that he has inspired people. A true artist will always return to his work and watch people stare in amazment

sn!per: 21st Oct 2006 - 03:11 GMT

as a graff artist myself i wouild like to thank you for showing us off in a positive way and not as others would put it "vandals" ive been bombin for years and i hate it when my tagz get sprayed over id rather have ppl look at it and appreciate it for wut it iz ART....much luv...sn!per

TR: 26th Nov 2006 - 15:19 GMT

Does anyone commission their work? Please post email...thanks

zcookie2one: 19th Dec 2006 - 05:00 GMT

this incredible art takes skill, i give respect to the ppl who threw these up!

Tyler: 23rd Dec 2006 - 17:48 GMT

I've been there, and I've also been the 2nd youngest person to bomb there (13). The younger guy was with me - (12)

MACK: 11th Jan 2007 - 17:41 GMT

Arethey doin this again summer 07? can u go to this place anytime?

SIP: 18th Jan 2007 - 19:25 GMT

yes its a public alley, walk down it anytime..
for more info on SIP 2007 keep checking www.styleinprogress.ca
thanks for posting the pics, nice discussion too..
SIP staff

CE: 1st Apr 2007 - 01:48 GMT

I'm so glad this post came up again! I saw the sun in the 5th picture in St-Henri here in Montreal and knew that I drew it for a friend once before I moved to Montreal after seeing it on the internet (this post). I just couldn't figure out where I had seen it before but it was here!

Ser54: 19th May 2007 - 13:21 GMT

lmao!!! I know that guy skron, He used to go to my school!

Pray: 24th Sep 2007 - 16:27 GMT

i saw a nice piece down there by Globe and Alone.. live guys

Matt: 30th Sep 2007 - 20:09 GMT

is there anywhere in toronto where i can go spraypaint at anytime and not get in shit? like are there any legal places?

Naya: 25th Feb 2008 - 17:28 GMT

I'm looking for some friendly contacts of people interested in graffitis both in Toronto and in New York...
Do you know where can I go to meet some ?
For now I'm in Europe but I'm hoping to come soon in Canada and Usa !
thanks for your help

Vulcan: 11th Mar 2008 - 04:14 GMT

Woah
cant wait for this summer
would love to check it out

andrew: 22nd May 2008 - 03:28 GMT

thier is a place for art ,put it on paint board canvas,not on private property,hate hate hate graffiti art, one thing for sure, these are the same people that is spraying thier crap all over the city,making toronto look like a dirty city,keep toronto clean,if you want to do art do it on canvas,look at all the graffiti all over toronto now!it is sicking to see toronto with all this graffiti crap,as soon as thier is a clean wall you get some clown spraying thier so call crap art on someone private property .should be a law to charge these people spraying on private property,and make sure they have to pay and clean the paint off the wall,

Peter: 22nd May 2008 - 13:35 GMT

for the record, i love how people surf into this post to complain about ZOMG ILLEGAL GRAFFITI when everything pictured in this post was done legally on what appears to be out-of-the-way back alleys.

Kelly: 20th Jul 2008 - 22:18 GMT

It's all so gorgeous! I love this kind of graffiti and it's awesome how there's a whole supportive community for the artists.