TWO PAG
GE PITURE
Cont ents. 5 Tattoo Inspiration
Thinking of gettieng a tattoo? Well we’ve gathered some of the best designs form some of the best local artists to get you started.
7 Art or Vandalism Valuble art or Vandalism? the opinions of street art have always been devided, so where do you stand on this?
13 Provide Birmingham
Check out the exclusive interview with the owner of Digbeth’s favourite independent store.
19 Fashion Photogrphy Fashion Photography by Emily Walker.
23 just Alt Fashioned
Birmingham is home to some of the best in alternative fashion. So wether you’re a rocker, hipster or just someone that likes fashion don’t worry becuase we’re gonna tell you exactly where to find it.
3
CHrISTIAN TAYLOR CONOR WRIGHT EMILY WALKER HARRIET SMITHSON
people
4
Tattoo Inspiration Wrote by Christian Taylor
5
So you’ve decided you want a tattoo or maybe you just like looking at them, but you’re sick of seeing the same old tribal patterns, anchors, the “meaningful” quotes or god forbid the butterfly tramp stamp. No you want something with some soul don’t you? Or maybe just something that just looks cool as hell, but you’re stuck for inspiration and every time you Google “cool tattoos” it’s the same stuff over and over. Don’t worry we’ve got you covered, we’ve gathered some of the best designs courtesy of the local artists of Birmingham. So if you’re reading this odds are you’re thinking of designing your own tattoo but naturally this comes with its own set of problems. Don’t worry too much about things like not being able to draw since surely you could find someone who can not to mention that many tattoo artists can handle the design side of things as part of their service. You should concern yourself more with what you actually want, and don’t just say “I want a tiger or
a pinup girl” it’s good that you know these things already but you’re only scratching the surface. You need to be asking yourself things like what kind of style you’re going for? Where is it going? Is it going to look right next to any pre-existing tattoos? The main thing is you, what would you be proud to have on your body forever? Whatever it is it’s as much a statement as anything else, it’s you leaving a mark only on yourself rather than a wall or on your clothes. If you’re going to commit to something like a can tattoo it might as well give mean someit some thing so if meaning that’s you great so long as you can brag about it to all your friends, just try and avoid the cliché’s and make sure it looks cool.
All images courtesy of Modern Body Art Birmingham
628
Art OR
Vandalism Wrote by Emily Walker
A look into the history and origin of graffiti
Nowadays people see graffiti is an art form. The Graffiti movement originated in New York in the 70’s where it was viewed as vandalism (Urban, 2014). It was part of the hip hop movement where young people began expressing themselves through creating name tag art using spray paint on subway trains. This article explores the birth of graffiti in the UK and why so many people today view it as an art form. It was the mid 1980’s when graffiti hit the streets of Birmingham. This was bought about by a book called ‘Subway Art’ and a documentary film called ‘Style Wars’. Teenagers from across the city from many backgrounds and cultures, were inspired to create their own movement. Birmingham had its own legal graffiti park in Selly Oak attracting artist across the UK and Europe. ‘Graffiti has a bad reputation, fostered by ‘youths’ mindlessly vandalising cities with their tags.’ Pamela Pinski (2012). An article by Pinski (2012) discusses Digbeth and the culture of graffiti. An unwritten rule among street artists to not paint over somebody else’s work, unless you have permission. Some local authorities have begun commissioning full-wall murals in graffiti/vandalism hotspots to discourage anti-social behaviour. Today many people’s opinions have changed about graffiti and it is often seen as a valuable art form rather than the defacing properties. “Graffiti artists are talented so I enjoy looking at their work when it’s in a place where people can appreciate it and it looks good rather than someone just spraying the bus stop as they go by” (Jessica Henry, 2014). Many graffiti artists are hidden and often don’t like to reveal their identity, this may be due to the stigma attached to graffiti. For example, ‘Banksy’ the British based graffiti artists and political activist. Ellsworth-Jones (2014) discusses Banksy, “On his way to becoming an international icon, the subversive and secretive street artistes turned the art world upside down”. A collection of work by Banksy was sold for more than £400,000 at an auction in London.
9
“It’s mostly ugly and unsightly and damages someone’s property” - Anonymous
People still believe that graffiti is not creative but damages property and makes areas look rundown and unused. Street Art Birmingham (2014) state that Graffiti is helpful in communities ‘supporting the regeneration of Birmingham is a key focus of our activities, helping turn grey, run-down areas of the city into vibrant and creative spaces’. Graffiti is all around Birmingham and many people feel it makes their city look diverse and a creative place to live. There are many graffiti pieces around Birmingham that are hidden and undiscovered. In Digabeth there are many places you can go to see these amazing pieces of work, such as ‘The Custard Factory’. Also you can find a legal street in Digabeth, called Flood Gate Street. However graffiti is no longer classed as vandalism by rebellious kids they see it as a creative way to express your self, and more people are becoming to love this previously tainted form of art. Artists from the 80’s and 90’s have once again started to paint and have come together to form BHX the legal graffiti collective. Birmingham has developed its own style and became a respected City in the UK and winner of graffiti competitions.
PROV
VIDE
Wrote by Conor Wright
Provide are an independant store which opened about two years ago in the heart of Birminghams creative quater. They’re a company thaat has enjoyed a decent amount of success in those two years. So we went down to Digbeth to talk with Matt, the owner of Provide
What makes Provide Different to any other independent clothes shop? “Here at provide we do more than clothes, it’s kind of like a little design shop if you will. We ‘provide’ people with design books and magazines, clothes that are designed in-store and 15
printed in Digbeth, keeping every process local, and even cards that we design too, the shop itself as well is very simplistic, it’s easy on the eye so it stands out in that way too” What impaired you to start up Provide and even open a shop? “Well I used to work in the fashion industry, designing clothes for retail/high street brands such as burton, but I hated the behind the scenes aspect of it, all the commercial work, it wasn’t for me, but I enjoy designing clothes, its more than my hobby, it’s what I love doing” How did you get into the industry? “I’ve got my GCSE’s, Including Art, I then went on to study at the University of the Arts London, doing a fashion degree in the London College of Fashion department, during this I got to intern in New York, after I graduated, I was invited back to New York to intern for the same company, this lasted for three years 16
“There are no currents trends, I don’t think there ever is”
until I came back to the U.K, followed it through, going with working for firms over here not just in fashion but all aspects of design, I was adverting, branding, filming, photographing and I really enjoyed it. Whilst I was in New York I came up with the concept of ‘Provide’ but never this concept I was branding ‘Provide’ as it is today, and then I thought of making it personal, personal to me, which is why I design the clothes I do, and stock the books and magazines I do, it’s all reminiscent to me” What’s your take on ‘current’ trends? “There are no currents trends, I don’t think there ever is, everything changes so rapidly, one day checked shirts are in, the next, leather jackets, long line sweaters, graphical tees, the list goes on, everyone’s unique anyway, so why follow a ‘trend’ whatever that is . I design what I want to, print what I think should be printed, people may list my clothing under a style or trend, but I don’t, I never will, because I can’t, working in the industry taught me that” 18
PITURE OF OWN STREET ART ON LEGAL WALL.
TITLE OF HARRIETS ARTICAL OR PITURE FROM EMILYS MAYBE SPRAYED ONTO THE PHOTOSHOOT LEGAL WALL ALREADY?
Emily Walkers Photography
PITURE FROM EMILYS PHOTOSHOOT
Emily Walkers Photography
PITURE FROM EMILYS PHOTOSHOOT
JESS’S ARTICAL
Emily Walkers Photography
PITURE FROM EMILYS PHOTOSHOOT
L (OR PLAN B)
Emily Walkers Photography
Just Alt Fashioned Wrote by Harriet Smithson
For someone who is fascinated by art and fashion I am always looking for something slightly bizarre and different but still is quite fashionable. I regally find smaller arty areas within cites that have more individual shops. Usually the kind of shops where vintage or individual fashion is hiding. These are the sort of hidden areas covered in street art weather is on the walls or its performers. The independent shops interest me most as they always have something different about them as they don’t normally just sell the odd unusual tee shirt design. There’s usually a reason why they are in such an art and bizarre area.
A lot of independant shops are placed in an area that relates to what there selling. Especially at themoment there is a growing in fashion connecting to street art and body art, whether its just the pattens and connection of colour within a simple pocket or a whole range of contrasting clothing. Smaller companies especially use harsh or urban backgrounds when on a photo shoot for there website or promoting there clothing. This is more to show that they are more independent when it’s a very common thing for companies that can’t afford to rent a photography studio. 25
Some of these smaller clothing companies seem to becoming very similar in what they are sellingand who there selling it to as well as how they are presenting there products online and around the country. I regally find new independent clothing brands online via Facebook and twitter who sell a small amount of clothes though bigcartel.com as a start.
But to get a wider audience a lot of these smaller clothing shops seems to be investing to more art than just the odd t shirt. For example the clothing brand SABBC (Skull and Bones Boys Club) has created a community around the music industry and work with bands in the rock and hardcore scene to pre mote there clothing while on tour or at interviews. A year ago SABBC had just over 200 likes on Facebook and more recently have been offered to sell there clothing
Even though fashion is quite a compacted and varied subject. A lot of larger names like TopShop are jumping at the chance to captures these individual designs. This could be a good thing for small names to get their name out their but it might also be come something that kills the idea and scene of the brand. this will also stop the business from selling directly to the customers and Will limit to what they can sell.
26
credit Makers of INK
Christian Taylor Conor Wright Emily Walker Harriet Smithson
Thanks to Matt The Founder of Provide Sophie Elizabeth Dainey - Model for Emily Walkers Photography
makeyou makeyou makeyou makeyou makeyou makeyou makeyou makeyou makeyou makeyou makeyou makeyou makeyou makeyou
urmark urmark urmark urmark urmark urmark urmark urmark urmark urmark urmark urmark urmark urmark