This past Saturday the Academy of Arts held the Estria Invitational Graffiti Battle Honolulu. James Davis one of the judges was kind enough to invite us out to take pictures at the event.

It proved to be an interesting and educational journey into a world I would normally not be exposed to.

The Estria Invitational Graffiti Battles

The Estria Invitational Graffiti Battle is a national urban art competition that honors and advances creativity in the Hip Hop arts. The battle was founded in 2007 by graffiti art living legend Estria Miyashiro and arts educator Jason Mateo. Through this art form of messaging, the competition encourages graffiti writers to communicate social justice issues and empower communities with spirit and beauty. The graffiti battle is a project of the Estria Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Oakland, CA.

WHY WE DO THIS…

We believe art can inspire our youth and improve our communities. Our extensive work with youth has shown that they long to be recognized for their ideas, creativity and accomplishments. Graffiti is a visual art form that provides the youth with a way to express their fears, their hopes and their dreams. With proper guidance, this outlaw art has the potential to shift paradigms. Although Graffiti Art is often perceived as vandalism, it remains an art form that requires skill, technique and tremendous commitment to master. Like traditional murals, graffiti murals can also decorate our cities, attract people, tell a story, and build community. When we provide a safe space for graffiti artists, we lessen the violence in our streets and provide a positive creative outlet for our young people.

Battle Information

Battles will take place in New York, Los Angeles, and Honolulu this year. 1st Place winners will compete in the Bay Area finals, Fall 2011.
Artists are invited to the competition based on skill level and a foundation in spray can art.
Participants are given 5 hours to complete a piece based on a 4-5 letter word that is revealed at the beginning of the competition, leaving little time for planning and execution.
An 8×10′ canvas is assigned to each artist. A limited amount of spray cans and colors are distributed equally.
Five hours later, the piece (finished or unfinished), is judged by legendary graffiti writers, and the King or Queen is announced at the end of the event.
Activities on the day of the battle include a t-shirt stencil workshop and a black book battle for teens. New activities are being added this year engaging families, youth, and the community.