Graffiti art indoors? That’s what Kunstgalerie WallStreet in Stralsund offered. The Kunstgalerie WallStreet brought urban art to Stralsund. It gave street artists a platform. The gallery opened its doors in April.
Bert Linke looks back on the early days. He says they attracted artists to Stralsund. They also founded the Kausalkettenverleih artist agency. He runs the agency with Marcel Klehm.
In the 90s, Stralsund and the region had a vibrant street art scene. Bert Linke explains that they wanted to bring those people back. Many no longer lived in the Hanseatic city. The artists needed to make a mental shift. Linke recalls that they had to lure them from the street into the building. The name suggests it is all about art on the street.
The plan worked. Artists exhibit and sell their work at the Kunstgalerie WallStreet. Several graffiti artists are under contract with the Kausalkettenverleih agency. They are booked for international projects.
The WallStreet Free Art Factory is closing for now. There was a closing party. Bert Linke looked forward to many guests. Visitors could relax and chat. They could also pick a favorite artwork for the auction. The future is uncertain. Bert Linke says the artist agency will continue. They would like to be active locally. A building like the Koggenspeicher is not easy. The building’s future is uncertain. It makes sustainable design difficult.
The artists will continue to create art. A sprayer week starts at the Scheelehof with the motto “Denk Mal bunt.” An exhibition is also planned at the Klinikum West.
Street artists display their skills in various ways. They create posters for TSV 1860 Stralsund’s home games. The posters always have a deeper meaning. A second look is worthwhile. This gives the club a cosmopolitan image. The WallStreet Gallery sees itself as cosmopolitan and democratic.
Bert Linke explains that they are also active in prevention. They bring young people off the street. They invite them to the gallery. They learn more in workshops. Finally, they show what they can do. The Kunstgalerie WallStreet is a good platform for this. The Kunstgalerie WallStreet is more than just a gallery. It is a space for creativity and community. It supports artists and promotes art in Stralsund.