The artist who did the above graffiti is called 2esae. I just met him a few days ago while shopping at Scrapyard for spray paint and skinny caps. Anyway, this dude has mad skills, really really awesome, as you can see. But that’s not the point of this post.

I just found out today that this artist, known by his mama (and sadly by the police) as Mike Baca, is going to jail on the 24th of this month for writing his name on a wall or something. Occasionally the police put a head on a pike to set an example or whatever and in this case they decided to use 2esae for that purpose. He’s got a trial after that for many many counts of vandalism (graffiti, not like breaking windows or anything…just painting). Apparently it’s possible that he could face 7 years for this.

No matter what you think of the rightness or wrongness of graffitiing public walls, think about this: This is a young artist and designer, 23 years old, who has amazing talent and his artwork has been published in major magazines like Esquire and NY Times, it’s been in films and videos, his clothing is in shops all over NY. He’s known all over the world for his art. And he might be in jail until he’s 30. Yes, a person is responsible for their own condition. Yes, graffiti is against the law. But remember back in the day when people would express themselves by gang wars? Who gets hurt by painting a name on a wall? Is it not more aesthetic than the dirty, crusty, ugly fucking wall that was there before he painted over it? Personally I think something needs to change regarding the laws of graffiti, because there are people committing serious crimes which are harmful to mankind, and this, frankly, is not one of those crimes.

Until that time, which may never come, we can do SOMETHING to show our support for Mike and for the graffiti community in general. Come to the fundraiser for Mike’s legal defense on October 22nd. He will be selling his awesome paintings and clothing he’s designed. There will also be a special guest performance by Large Professor and the debut screening of the newest Styles P video. L.A.S.E.R. Tag after-party.

Deets:

What: Solo Show and Fundraiser for Mike Baca
What Else: Special guest performance by Large Professor, L.A.S.E.R. Tag after-party
When: October 22nd, 2007 6pm – 9pm.
Where: Eyebeam
540 West 21st Street
New York, New York

Come show your support and buy stuff if you can.

Thanks to Graffiti Research Lab for letting me know about this so I can do what I can to help. You can make donations for Mike Baca’s legal defense fund by clicking on the Graffiti Research Lab link above.
XO, Erica