Reflect / Concrete Canvas / Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop

Alexander Bacon and Moises Luvs are two generations of artists working within graffiti and hip hop, collaborating for the first time at AGH. Their aim with Reflect is to depict the states of flow, a feeling that transcends and unites all the art forms within hip-hop. “The abstraction surrounding the character with headphones reflects the internal multi-layered transformative experience of being so deeply connected with your purpose and actions. The state of flow is achieved when one is fully attuned with themselves and allows the ‘flow’ to flow through them.” – Moises and Bacon

About the artists:

Alexander Bacon is a Canadian painter and internationally-acclaimed graffiti artist, raised in Toronto. He has become a renowned mural artist with over 20 years of experience. Using spray paint as his primary medium, Bacon’s work has evolved towards deconstructing traditional spray paint graffiti techniques to create a distinct painting style and look to his work. His work presents a mix of realism and expressionism, blending abstract forms, lighting, and reflective surfaces. @vizsla_bacon 

Moises (b. 1995), also known as Luvs, started doing graffiti art at the age of 10 when he lived in Hamilton and attended Dr. J. E. Davey Elementary School, and then Sanford Avenue School. He discovered hip hop which inspired him to study graffiti and fine art in back alleys, abandoned buildings, on trains, and in books. He was a bad student and is continuing to learn and unlearn. Despite this, he has also had the privilege of travelling to paint murals and teach art abroad. Through his practice, Luvs continues to explore, play, fail, cry, and grow. @moises.be.nice 

 About Concrete Canvas:

Concrete Canvas is a multi-day visual arts festival where local and internationally acclaimed artists alike gather in Hamilton over one weekend to paint murals live across the city in an effort to elevate the visual landscape of the city while simultaneously inspiring a new generation of artists and bring the Hamilton community together to celebrate hip hop art, music, culture, and diversity over one weekend. Join us this year as we celebrate 50 Years of Hip Hop Culture Aug 12 – Aug 13 at Pier 4 Park.  www.concretecanvasfest.com/ 

Concrete Canvas is releasing its first book documenting graffiti art in Hamilton, from 1995 to 2022, including interviews with some of Canada’s most talented graffiti writers, and articles by those who define and document Hip Hop culture in Canada. Available for purchase in the Shop at AGH and online.

Curated by Leon (Eklipz) Robinson through Concrete Canvas.