During September 2019 Arkade Graphics organised a collective of local graffiti artists to regenerate an aging mural that covered the double underpass running between the Milton Keynes estates of Tinkers Bridge and Simpson. On a historical level the event holds great significance as it marks the first, and only time to date that four of the cities pioneering first generation of graffiti artists (Urbanist, James Jessop, Chase One and Rolek One) have collaborated on a joint piece of artwork.
All the above artists established themselves as writers in the 1980s and completed the entire first section of the underpass together with organiser Arkade and some assistance from Mega. Photos of the artwork have recently featured in Hip Hop Culture exhibitions organised by Break to the beat at The Open University and MK Gallery. The below collection of images show the mural in completed sections by each of the artists.
“Urbanist” by Urbanist – Tinkers Bridge, Milton Keynes, 2019.
“Character” by Arkade, “Jes JNR” by Rolek One -Tinkers Bridge, Milton Keynes, 2019.
“Me” by Mega, “Character” by Arkade – Tinkers Bridge, Milton Keynes, 2019.
“Character” by Arkade, “Pressure” by Chase One – Tinkers Bridge, MK, 2019.
“Arkade” by Arkade – Tinkers Bridge, Milton Keynes, 2019.
“Jungle Tekno” by James Jessop – Tinkers Bridge, Milton Keynes, 2019.
The below slideshows (with the exception of the “Pressure” piece by Chase One) display the work by each artist at various stages of creation. Chase One‘s piece was created a day later than the rest of the mural so Break to the beat staff only captured images of the completed section.
“Urbanist” by Urbanist, slideshow – Tinkers Bridge, Milton Keynes, 2019.
“Jes JNR” by Rolek One, slideshow -Tinkers Bridge, Milton Keynes, 2019.
“Pressure” by Chase One, with wall end section – Tinkers Bridge, Milton Keynes, 2019.
“Arkade” by Arkade, slideshow – Tinkers Bridge, Milton Keynes, 2019.
“Jungle Tekno” by James Jessop, slideshow – Tinkers Bridge, Milton Keynes, 2019.
In part two of the article we will look at the second section of the underpass and the contributions made by graffiti artists Siren, Focus, Loki, Scuba, Tops and Vapor.
To view part two please see: Tinkers Bridge Paint Jam Part Two
For more information on the artist featured in Tinkers Bridge Paint Jam Part One please see:
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