From the startlingly distinctive achievements of the internationally renowned twin-brother painters Os Gemeos to the visual powers of the ubiquitous daredevil pichadores, Brazil’s graffiti captivates with entirely fresh ideas, techniques and messages. Whether one’s taste is for the extraordinary creative extremes generated amid urban deprivation or for crafted murals at their most elaborate, Graffiti Brasil offers both stunning photography and in-depth history and insight.

With graffiti worldwide becoming more homogenized, this book is a reminder of the strengths of creative independence and the rich fruits of cultural diversity.

Around the world, Brazil holds a cult fascination. People wearT-shirts emblazoned with Brazil’s striking greenand-yellow flag, not only because they like football, but also because they identify with the country and its culture. The word ’Brazil’ conjures up intoxicating images and sounds of the rainforest, football stadiums, sultry bossa nova and raucous samba parades.

This idealized view of Brazil is part mythology, but the reality is even more compelling. Brazil is made up of the descendants of indigenous peoples, Portuguese colonists, their indentured African slaves, and later waves of Italian, Spanish, German and Russian immigrants.Japanese immigration began in 1908, and today Sao Paulo has the largest number of Japanese people outside of Japan. Brazil has the second largest black population in the world, having received more African slaves than any other colonial country from the mid-16th century onwards, This balance of influences has created a unique cultural recipe for Brazilian society and its artistic expression.

Preface

Introduction

History

Techniques

How It Gets Done: A Sunday Story

Diplomacy: A Sunday with Santos

Pichao

10.20 p.m.

Bombing

Lettering

Trains

Productions: Legal and Illegal

Binho

Fleshbeck Crew

Brazilian Style

Characters

Os Gemeos

Onesto

Nina

Herbert Baglione

Tinho

Vitche

Nunca

Titifreak

Niggaz

Lodcos

Abstract Graffiti

Ciro

Zezao

Kboco

Dalata

Highraff

Street Art

Upgrade do Macaco

Faca Crew

Alexandre Orion

Glossary

Bibliography

Websites

Picture Credits