Amsterdam has always been a unique location in the world of art from the streets. The city provided a grateful canvas for local writers and became popular among international artists as well. Many of them found the space they needed to further develop their art on the walls of squatted and empty buildings, in the quiet streets and remote areas.
Graffiti is embraced worldwide as the basis for various modern art movements and is also widely used in fashion and design. It can be said that it is a culture that encourages creative development and creates visibility. The importance of documentation in the form of a photo book goes beyond capturing a zeitgeist and adding a piece of art history. It can be seen as a portfolio for the artists with the street as the foundation.
Dutch Graffiti Library: “Kees Kamper’s photographs in this book not only contribute to recording a piece of art history, but also offer a future to artists with the street as its foundation”
With increasing interest in graffiti from formal (heritage) institutions and even museums opening on the subject, a form of evidence for the artists is essential. Being able to fall back on photographs of realized artworks and thus demonstrate that one’s marks have been earned on the street is important.
Amsterdam street art
Kees Kamper
17 years of street art
900 photographs
500 artists
Order at Uitgeverij Komma