It was a true honour to meet the legendary Photographer and documenter Henry Chalfant in Birmingham’s B-Sides Festival.
Alongside Martha Cooper both of them were among the most prominent photographers capturing NYC Graffiti, later presenting the book and graff writers bible ‘Subway Art’.
How relevant it is this book to today’s writers, I don’t know, but for me and my generation and the generation before me it was / is the essential book to own or at least get a good look at it.
In 1983 came the Film Style Wars. For me this film is my go-to movie when it comes to this culture. It’s a time capsule piece. It presented a wide range of characters many of them that we could relate too. We was children looking at other teens, and young adults who’s passion and drive for their art made sense to us. They dressed like us, they looked like us and the environment they inhabited, some of it was not so unfamiliar for many of us. it was not unusual for us to see graffiti, independent stores, mom and pop shops, poverty and belong to working class homes. We did note experience the scale of the burnt out buildings that of the Bronx. However someway we connected to them.
Pursuing an interest in film and photography this film is still the film I consider the blueprint for me on how I wanted to document mine and other artists journeys. It was an honest portrayal of the characters featured almost a fly on world look at their experience and the art. It did not focus on industry or celebrity glitz or glamour. It looked purely at the artists that were shaping the culture.
I’m speaking my truth. Before Hip Hop came along, I was always known through the schools and local area as an artist. Following in the footsteps of my older brother I was exposed to a lot of psychedelic art, comic books and 70s and early 80s Marvel comics. I may not been into the stories as much, but I loved the art more, I just wanted to draw. I was a huge fan of the Fantastic Four 1960s cartoon. The very first time they asked me in school what is your ambition or dream job, it was to be an animator. That was me in primary school. For my HND my final project I made an animated film using thousands of photographs still shot, then sequenced the photographic images using a cini movie camera and trigger to create an animation film.
Graffiti was my first avenue of interest in what I later learned was part of this larger culture movement we now call hip hop. My drawing skills allowed me to be around a lot older people, I impressed them. This is an area that is not often talked about ‘skills and abilities’, we have to accept
some people are gifted in areas that you cannot simply put a age bracket placed upon. Not being old enough to get into a club at that time does not define what you bring to the table or where you sit.
I fell in love with this movement as it allowed me to express myself as an artist and a person. All of this happened over time. Through mentors and others who guided me, enlightened me about things, I was able to build myself, to be independent, to have a vision establish a work ethic and a
will not to compromise my integrity. To be resourceful and find a way.
In my earlier days I was the quietest person in the room, but life taught me a hard lesson. These days I’m a shadow of the person I used to be. I didn’t believe in myself. When I used to talk to people about my ideas my vision and people would laugh at me. You’re dreaming they would say, or in that
time would look at me and think there is no way you can do this.
As the movement grew here, I took notice of the artist called the Artful Dodger. He became my inspiration, even though at that time I had not met him yet. I was motivated to build my skills and abilities and explore my ideas.
Since I got into this I have constantly been at work. It went from being a hobby to a lifestyle choice which was fuelled by feeling beyond compelled to keep documenting and creating as if my life depended on it. I could not stop. However many times I try I could not sit still because over the
years whatever I was doing was getting noticed by the right people.
To do what I did required dedication hard work and lot of effort. An overwhelming amount of commitment for a long period of time. Discipline and having an addictive personality helped.
Jay use to say ‘he’s like one of those hunting dogs. You let him off the leash and he’s off out the door not to return until he’s found his prey’.
When I’m working, I suffer from tremendous tunnel vision. These are all traits and attributes that have grown and built from a lifetime of being doubted and underestimated. I formed habits of ploughing through obstacles and people that I thought would or could of helped me.
I think it’s fair to say that I didn’t always pick the easiest route and through trial and error did everything the hard way. I lost hope and expectations a long time ago for the industry to recognise my work. I focussed too much on expecting the industry, the mover and shakers to recognise my efforts. It has always people who were at the grass roots that supported me or saw the value in what I’m trying to do.
Although I love my city, I gave up a long time on the people and scene within it a long time ago. Casz from the group M.S.I one of my best friends way back constantly used the Crabs in the Barrel theory to describe the city. I would argue this is a national problem with few individuals working outside of that metaphor.
I like the Birmingham B-Sides festival, as I remember it was kickstarted by a younger generation of B-Boys who through there network and at that time B-Boying had a absolute revolution within its self and a new guard was calling the shots on international events. They built this event and its grown.
Panda from Graffiti Artist.com has worked especially hard to make sure Writers from the city are represented. However I do feel that the cities own history is well underrepresented and that people who know a lot better are not standing tall to make sure the cities rich history is being preserved and presented. Why? I don’t know.
This is where I return to Henry Chalfant, I asked a number of people if you could, could you please introduce me to Henry and try do things the correct way. No one did. This happens over and over for me here. So I introduce myself to him and this led into a long conversation. This sparked of the
same question I always get asked. ‘Are you from here?’
I’ve never been shy to introduce people. Go to my IG I am forever writing posts about artists in and out of the genre, extraordinary people I meet on my journey. I’m not looking for free shoes or outfits or anything, that’s not my purpose. I speak about people who are really busting there back, who believe in their craft. I know what it is like to be in their shoes.
It meant a great deal to me meet Henry although he is not the director this movie Style Wars would not of been made without him. I appreciate Panda giving me a heads up and Raj Pardesi messaging me inviting me to the event. I love going to these events purely to enjoy and experience them, but
too often it’s about networking.
This is a very tough city and to stay relevant requires one to network and use platforms correctly to present yourself and your work and goals. You cannot depend on others to help, if you are getting some help consider yourself very lucky. I think this city can do a better job in championing the
artists who call it / identify it as home. Its been a city of closed doors and no opportunities unless you go through a small group of organisations who have the monopoly when it comes money/ funding.
I took my camera with me the Saturday with the aim to capture an image of Henry and some of the artists I know painting. I really appreciate artist Bunny Bread offering to take my camera off me to capture some pics of me and Henry conversating. I really appreciate that he had the foresight to do
that. These pictures in years to come will make sense and have some value towards my story and my journey.
It was a great moment and memorable moment meeting who played such a huge part in such an important movie to me and many others.
Huge thanks to all those that let me take some pics and the guys that this event has become the annual meeting up
