Have you ever seen a wall transform? The Arts and Rhymes Who Got Style Wall isn’t just a wall. It’s a living canvas. A testament to creativity. It’s located in Bushwick Brooklyn. It started as a blank canvas in the early 80s. A spot for graffiti artists. Then Keith Haring arrived. He painted a vibrant orange mural. It featured upside-down figures. This echoed B-boys and B-girls. They were dancers who spun on their heads. The mural stayed for two years. Then Goldman Properties acquired the wall. They kept the mural intact. Later they decided to celebrate Haring’s work. They commissioned a recreation of his mural. This marked the true beginning of the Arts and Rhymes Who Got Style Wall.
This wasn’t just a one-off event. Goldman Properties had a vision. They wanted to use the wall to showcase artists. They invited renowned street artists. Os Gemeos created a colorful and detailed piece. It represented Brazilian life and socio-political issues. Shepard Fairey followed with a design. It announced his exhibition. Then came Barry McGee. He paid homage to graffiti legends with simple red tags. The wall became a hub for creative expression. Many artists graced the Arts and Rhymes Who Got Style Wall. Kenny Scharf created colorful works. JR showcased forgotten communities. FAILE added comic book images. Retna’s calligraphic markings followed. Lady AIKO became the first solo woman to contribute.
The Arts and Rhymes Who Got Style Wall wasn’t without controversy. David Choe’s mural was defaced. This followed accusations of predatory behavior. After this incident 18 artists protested sexual violence. They left red handprints on the wall. This event prompted a mural by Lakwena. Her artwork aimed to promote kindness online. Even Banksy’s work appeared there. His art protested the imprisonment of a Kurdish journalist. The Arts and Rhymes Who Got Style Wall had to overcome much. It faced vandalism and controversy. However it continued to display incredible talent. Tristan Eaton’s “Intermission” was one of the first to avoid major tags. JR returned with a mural about gun control. This was followed by Tats Cru and Queen Andrea. Tomokazu Matsuyama’s work lasted a year thanks to the pandemic. Raul Ayala and students focused on allegory and folklore. David Flores created a “stained glass” style piece. Graffiti writers eventually tagged this work.
The Arts and Rhymes Who Got Style Wall is more than just a wall. It’s a symbol of artistic expression. It’s a platform for different voices. It’s a place where creativity and controversy intersect. The wall’s location reflects the area’s street art culture. The Arts and Rhymes Who Got Style Wall continues to transform. It embraces both street art and graffiti. It stands as an iconic space in art history. A place where stories unfold. A canvas waiting for its next chapter.