Classic graffiti by Filippo Fero in our outdoor gallery
Filippo Fero is the graffiti artist who found his place in hip-hop culture. He has given us a new piece for our outdoor gallery, a classic work but in a square format. Here, he talks about his exploration of style, the importance of having a passion, and offers tips for those curious about learning graffiti.
The 1990s were a golden age for hip-hop. In Bologna, Italy, a teenager named Filippo Fero fell in love with the entire culture. Where else could he find art, dance, and music all in one package? Initially, he was into breaking. Like his father, he had always drawn, so when an older graffiti artist invited him to join on a job, he quickly got hooked.
Filippo leans forward over the table as he talks about how he got started. His passion for graffiti and hip-hop culture is unmistakable. He has just begun working on a new piece for our outdoor gallery. Right now, it’s lunch break, and I get the chance to ask him a few questions over a plate of paneer masala.
Graffiti as a Study of Style”
Subtopia’s outdoor gallery features many works but hardly any classic graffiti pieces. So when we had the chance to acquire one from Filippo, it felt like the missing piece in an outdoor gallery dedicated to urban art.
“My style is classic; I like to stay close to original graffiti, but I always strive to add something uniquely mine. For example, I try to connect letters in ways I haven’t seen before. Sometimes I succeed, and sometimes I fall into clichés.”
The challenge with this piece was the shape: an almost square door. This is not very common since graffiti paintings typically have a more rectangular shape, like a word. Although it was a challenge, it was appreciated. Filippo had to come up with new bindings, more overlaps, and different movements in the letters. Exploring style is what he likes most about graffiti.
“Theoretically, you should be able to write any letters, and people should still recognize that it’s you because your style is unique. So graffiti is a study of style. How you draw the letters, how you make them move, how you connect them. That’s really the core of graffiti culture, Filippo explains.”
A passion to fall back on
We discuss legal and illegal graffiti. Throw-ups on subway trains are a long-passed chapter for Filippo, though he can still appreciate where graffiti and the entire hip-hop culture come from.
“It was started by people who the world did not see; they needed to show that they existed. And I think they did it in a very beautiful way. They could have manifested themselves by doing horrible things, but instead, they did it through art, through creativity. I think it’s fantastic.”
So, how does one go about trying graffiti?
“The essence of a graffiti piece is the tag. It has the basic components: connections between letters, movement, and knowledge of letter forms. But it’s created in a fraction of the time compared to a full piece. So start there. Choose a name, write it in the way you feel, add the three components. Then take the spray can and give it a try.”
Lunch is nearing its end, and I ask Filippo if he would like to add anything. He nods and says that he hopes more young people today discover hip-hop culture. It has meant so much to him and helped him through difficult times in his life.
“It has given me goals to strive for, provided me with a sense of belonging, guidance from older figures within the culture, and it has given me a passion. Now I can always fall back on that passion. If I’m bored, if I’m sad, or if I’m angry.”
If you want to see Filippo’s work, you’re welcome to visit our outdoor gallery. If you feel inspired and want to try it yourself, we have an open wall. Link to the outdoor gallery
If you’d like to see more of Filippo Fero’s work, you can follow him on Instagram.