Graffiti is everywhere. From vibrant murals spray painted on buildings to cryptic tags on trains. To many, it can be an eyesore, vandalism left on public and private property.
But for others, when done with consideration and respect – graffiti is an art. It is a raw expression of culture, identity, and emotion.
Wade Stamp, a mural and graffiti artist from Saddle Lake Cree Nation, believes in the latter.
How society views graffiti
Stamp says graffiti can be a powerful weapon.
“You can do a lot with graffiti. You can hurt people with just a spray paint if you write out of hate.”
He adds, “A lot of people do it just for destruction . . . [and] vandalism . . .A lot of people get that thrill from that side of [graffiti] and that’s the part where it gets a bad reputation.”
Stamp has been doing graffiti art for over 20 years, and he admits that when he was younger, he also found himself tagging here and there – or leaving his artist signature on walls.
But as he matured, so did his perspective.
The positive side of graffiti
To him, graffiti is more than just about writing his name on the wall in big, bold and colourful letters. It is not an expression of destruction or hate. Instead, it is something that can build connections and even tell stories that words alone cannot.
With graffiti, “You can turn an ugly alley into something beautiful. You can bring people together,” he says. He tries to capture this philosophy of unity and peace with his art.
Stamp’s work has taken him across Canada and beyond, painting pieces that last far longer than the fleeting graffiti of his youth.
But among the works he is most proud of is a piece close to his home.
In the summer of 2023, he worked on a mural at the new Onchaminahos Elementary School in Saddle Lake.
It featured two elders welcoming youth in a space of respect and guidance, he explains. It also featured a teepee – a symbol he often uses in his work – reflecting a sense of home and unity in Saddle Lake.
Stamp recently held an art exhibit at the St. Paul and District Arts Foundation from Nov. 18 to 27 where his work was on display.
Respect
For those wanting to get into graffiti, Stamp encourages them to be respectful.
“You can’t just pick up a can and start painting,” he says.
“You have to think about your surroundings . . . the consequences . . . and be smart about it.”
The graffiti community is huge, says Stamp. It can be easy for an unassuming youth to write over another graffiti artists work with their own. This is disrespectful to other graffiti writers out there, he says, and it is disrespectful to the history behind that graffiti.
“Don’t go out of your way to vandalize buildings,” says Stamp. Businesses are common targets for vandalism, acknowledges Stamp, “and people work hard for their businesses.”
It takes time and effort to erase the damage somebody has done, so Stamp encourages others to be mindful and considerate.
“If you want to get into this lifestyle, be smart about it. Be respectful. Pay your dues and don’t step on anyone’s toes,” he says. “Once you learn that. Just have fun.”
Graffiti is a global form of expression, according to Stamp. People can find graffiti in nearly every city in the world. It is an art form that can connect people of all cultures and background, “even though we’re so different from each other.”
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