A VOICE FROM THE STREETS WITH AN EYE ON THE FUTURE

Graffiti is no longer seen just as an act of rebellion, it’s now recognized as a powerful form of aesthetic, political, and social expression. That’s what makes its growing role in today’s cultural landscape so important. Italy has just launched its first institutional exhibition dedicated to the connection between graffiti and contemporary fine art. Once considered anti-establishment, graffiti has become a respected means of self-expression. The exhibition, curated by Leonie Radine and New York-based artist Ned Vena, is being held at Museion in Bolzano. Vena’s own work has been deeply shaped by his early experience as a graffiti writer, which influenced how he sees and interacts with urban environments. He explains, “Graffiti was how I became an artist, but it also shaped the way I see the world even how I see art. This show doesn’t focus just on graffiti, but on works that, to me, carry that same energy. Graffiti offers a new way of seeing the urban world.” Spanning 70 years of art, this exhibition is groundbreaking as the first in Italy to explore how spray paint evolved from a street art tool into a respected medium in the art world. Graffiti is more than quick tags or paint on walls—it’s a reflection of how an underground art form has made its way from the streets to international galleries. Spread across 1,500 square meters on Museion’s two main floors, the show features site-specific installations along with works from the 1950s to today. Visitors follow a chronological path, starting with early spray paintings from the 1950s and ‘60s by artists like Hedda Sterne, David Smith, Martin Barré, Dan Christensen, Carol Rama, Melvin Edwards, Lawrence Weiner, and Charlotte Posenenske. The crossover between graffiti and modern art continues through the 1980s and ‘90s with iconic names like Keith Haring, Martin Wong & LA2, and Lady Pink & Jenny Holzer. More recent works include spray paintings by Christopher Wool, Michael Krebber, and Heike-Karin Föll, along with digital tag drawings by Georgie Nettell. The exhibition also includes a new work by N.O. Madski in dialogue with sculptures by KAYA, plus pieces from contemporary graffiti artists such as Kunle Martins and WANTO. On the fourth floor, photography and film by Charles Atlas and Manuel DeLanda capture the theme of the city itself. More than just an exhibition, Graffiti is a deep dive into one of the most debated art forms of our time. Here, graffiti is shown not just as rebellious but as a constantly evolving language that speaks directly to today’s cultural moment. It challenges visitors to rethink their ideas about urban art—and reminds us of the power of art to make us think and question. By exploring the give-and-take between street art and fine art, Graffiti at Museion offers a rare look at how this once-marginalized practice has not only influenced the art world—but become an essential part of it.

Museion Bolzano

On view through September 14