The art of Bangastyle:Writing graffiti is a way of expression that allows me to assert my existence in order to advance thoroughly in the future?
Banga, B-boy of the first times, graffiti artist of the first generation, from his first tag in 1983 to his brand of clothes founded in 1996 (initially under an umbrella at the flee market of Clignancourt, he started with only a bag of plain tee-shirts and another of sprays).
He never stopped going further in his career.
Let us go together in a journey back in the times of the B-Boys, The High Tops and also The Smurf;
From the eighties to the year 2000, be moved by the evolution of Banga Style.The philosophyBanga is a precursor, his ambition is not bounded by limits and he is firmly decided on continuing to promote the art of the streets.
Because of his origins the artist is doted with a mixture of cultures which is shown through his works: Africa and India;
He has also done of Canvas his subject idol, dressing up paintings in a tireless way.
His gallery Street Dreams opened in 2001 could not survive due to the fact that it was situated in a bad environment, but the project is far from being abandoned.
In 1996 he left his imprints at the Hall of Fame of Harlem;
The Source then noticed him and therefore New York becomes his next destination.
I have the impression to have done the tour of France and now I want to climb back to the roots of my inspiration?And the buckle will therefore be buckled.
The brandIt is in the central path of the flee market of Clignancourt that Banga forges his reputation of graffor on tee-shirts.
He invented a cap that he named jet needle which will enable him to do sharp features. Thanks to this cap, every kind of themes can be displayed on cotton such as portraits, 3D lettering, landscapes, etc.
On regular bases, one can observe the artist do his show in front of his shop at the eyes of stunned passers-by. A tee shirt is a support of a drawing which comes to life in front of a crowd, for a satisfied client, who will be the only one in the whole world wearing his Banga Style tee-shirt.
He will seduce more then one in this path, just like Agnes B who will then sign an exclusive contract with him for Banga Style tee-shirts that will be sold at Lafayette Gallery as well as forty points of sale in Japan.
Banga will be more and more solicited for graffing tee-shirts painted by sprays but mostly for tagging his own label. Facing an important request he decides to serigraphy his logo;
In 1996 his brand comes to life. And the originality of Banga style is due to the fact that he produces a limited edition of superior quality, always looking for more comfort. Each piece of work is a reflect of the graffitist originality who is looking forward on staying loyal not only to his art but also to his general vision of graffiti.
The graffiti
The graffiti is not a style, but a way of living.Banga is introduced to Hip Hop in 1981, influenced just like most of contemporary people by the American vibe. He learns hip hop dances (Smurf, Electric Boogie, and Break Dance).
And it is naturally that he joins the T.R.P (The Renegade Painters) and draws his first tags, going from the movement of body to movement of features.
Tagging is the art of reinventing wildly letters of the alphabet, 100% underground art in which one puts himself through perilous situations in order to manifest his rebellion against the authorities in another way than violence.
Tagging is the least qualified discipline whereas it sees that one gets interested in the movement.
But fast enough aerosol art will capture his attention, and in 1988 he painted his first graffiti. Thereafter, he decides to excel in this art with an only goal of becoming one of the best.
The name spreads throughout the city. Because art only does not come with rules, if one wants to be the King, one should hoard the city in order to be respected. No surface is saved; walls, subway lines, wagons, corridors, stairs, panels, grounds, trucks and poles are targeted.
In 1990, he joins the TKC (The Kold Chillin') but soon he creates his own group: Basalt Mural Expression destined to promote graffiti in a form of training for all youngsters who wants to learn how to handle sprays. And even though Banga and his crew still cross vague fields in order to tame the subject and improve their style, the graffiti-art has already crossed the board of simple vandalism and it is starting to be renowned as a whole part art. It is for this reason that he will be solicited in 1992 by Paris VIII University in order to give graffiti lessons to art students.
Even if Graffitis and Tags, which are means of expression born in the streets, are assimilated to vandalism by the establishment. The explosion of Graffiti and Hip Hop culture has nevertheless given birth to a real artistic culture as much in the domain of frescos as in music and dance considers Banga. Reality confirms its statement because he accumulates realisation of decoration works for various brands and structures such as Canal+, Volkswagen, Microsoft, MAX, during festivals in provinces he takes time to decorate restaurants, shops and vans.
Banga has already gone beyond street borders. And just as rap trivializes, Graff democratizes.
Online Status Icons
Myspace Editor
Pimp MySpace
Myspace Editor
Pimp MySpace
