Vandalism or art? Talented Gloucester teenager "Flava" defends his work
TEENAGE artist Flava is calling for more legitimate spaces for people like him to exercise their talents.
Graffiti by the 15-year-old Gloucester pupil, who doesn't want his real name revealed, is painted at various locations around the city.
The Citizen has been sent these images of his work including a tribute to Cain Westcarr on the wall of Parry Hall in Tredworth.
Cain died aged 12 in June and Flava said: "His mum approached me about doing a piece for him because I did one before when he died.
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"That one is above board and I've got other ones dotted around Longlevens but there definitely needs to be more spaces we can use legally. I think around Greyfriars, on the boards down there at the moment, would be a good start.
"Some people think it's vandalism but to me it's definitely art."
Flava sells artwork too and has customers in Europe and America. He said Gloucestershire's graffiti art scene is burgeoning, with talents emerging in the likes of Cheltenham and Stroud as well as others around the city.
He is branching out to Bristol soon having been asked to contribute some of his work there and is optimistic it can make him a career in the long-term.
"It started really with me just doodling and scribbling and I got inspiration from an artist in America and a guy in Glasgow called Smug, they are big inspirations," he said.
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by GlosAnarchy
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 9:51PM
“I hope the citizen has passed his details onto the council, this would at minimum be considered littering but then again it could be fun to stick big adverts on the citizen office windows ;)”
by flava-street
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 5:59PM
“@glosguy the ones that are aloud ha and yeah that's beastie :) the stencil.. They got us mixed up or something..”
by gloscityguy
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 5:54PM
“@Flave-street
so who is the person doing all the street art in Gloucester?
I like your work, but it was made out that all the street art in the centre of the city was by you. which pieces in the centre of town are yours?”
by flava-street
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 5:38PM
“@gloscityguy hardly any to be honest... But if you are wondering then check out my Flickr... At - http://tinyurl.com/akvzmpt”
by gloscityguy
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 5:16PM
“Which pictures in the paper are actually of your work Flava?”
by annalou27
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 5:13PM
“As long as property is not damaged (and by that I mean permanent damage) and where possible permission is granted then I consider this art. I would rather see street art like this on blank building spaces than the tags and mindless graffiti that blights most cities.
Banksy, whether he be an original artist or copycat, his work sells for thousands, so that is a measure of the talent he has.
There was an artist in Rochdale in the late 70's early 80's who painted murels on the sides of houses and industrial buildings his surname is Kershaw, they were amazing and I wish there were more about, brightens up life a little.
Flava-street, from the pictures in this article, I like what I see and they have brightened up run of the mill items, I particularly like the woman reading the book on the telecom box.”
by Saly77
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 4:59PM
“@flava yeah that little sole! i think he may still be there.. ill have to see tomorow on my walk. nice to see you in the paper though! keep them comeing lil man”
by flava-street
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 4:54PM
“@sally77 seen one of your robots!! U left it up by the docks I seen :) should have to get one soon!!”
by DarrenGdub
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 3:38PM
“Its very artistic and i usually love it, its just not nice when somebody does it on your property. I had 1 of these drawings, the little girl 1, on my wall last year. Which annoyed me, had to buy paint and paint over it.”
by Terrythedog
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 2:01PM
“I love to see decent street art, it does make a change from all the crumbling derelict eyesores we are usually subjected to.
I also think Flava sounds like thoroughly charming & polite . So often we berate teenagers as lazy good for nothings but this young man seems very focussed and determined and that should be applauded regardless. All the best.”