THE UNDERBELLY PROJECT

Within "Aerosol Art", "writers" appear with much more elaborate work than the initial fast calligraphies of the past decades, but in general, the technique learnt serves as a base for the realization of much more elaborate work, which is sometimes similar to that of sophisticated comics. Others are simply new expressions of a street art which often outshines the well-known graffiti artists have on art exhibited in galleries or museums.

The form of expression where graffiti artists have an adrenaline rush in the two or three minutes which the painting of a convoy of train carriages can take, is something that seems to be disappearing. In any case, what has not been lost is the capacity of discourse and vindication of these forms of expression and as the price of works by British street artist Banksy begin to escalate into seven figure sums, the trend for such alternative artworks booms at an almost equal rate. Arguably the turning point for graffiti, the fiercely elusive Banksy has begun to adapt mass stereotyping of street artists.
 

His response is chilling and fascinating in equal measure, inciting bloggers across the world to ponder the whereabouts of this artistic labyrinth. As yet it remains undiscovered.

In the case of Banksy, many of his pieces are intensely ironic, such as an elderly woman painting the words “KEEP BRITAIN TIDY” on a wall on blood red ink or a bear eating a fish skeleton in a city stream.  Over the past few years, the artist’s following has continued to develop and multiple tabloids and broadsheets have attempted to expose the secretive performer. On each accusation, his spokeswoman has reacted with variants of the same line: "I will never confirm or deny these stories."

At the opposite end of the scale with the mass medias is “The Underbelly Project”.  This is an illegal and therefore highly secretive scheme undertaken by two daring urban artists in an undisclosed location under New York City. The only solid details officially released are the pseudonyms of the project’s organisers – Workhorse and PAC – and the fact that the artistry spreads throughout an unfinished and forgotten subway station underneath the Big Apple.

Over the past 18 months, these two street artists have secretively initiated the project, inviting scores of well-known names in the graffiti world to join them in their quest. Such creative minds (and hands) include De Feo, Elbow Toe, SheOne and The London Police. Synonymous with this form of street art, Banksy was duly invited but had to decline due to time constraints with the promotion of his new film.

Feature writer for The Sunday Times Magazine Jasper Rees was recently invited down by Workhorse and PAC. His response is chilling and fascinating in equal measure, inciting bloggers across the world to ponder the whereabouts of this artistic labyrinth. As yet it remains undiscovered.