People of Amsterdam: Mark Chalmers
Category: News Published Date
We asked four questions to four Amsterdam based street art creatives, who we think have stand out in their own unique way in Amsterdam in 2011. Here is part one with Mark Chalmers.
In 2011 we got to know Mark Chalmers, who lives in Amsterdam and has an honest love and passion for street art. He is the one behind all those 'secret' garage artshows that we can not tell you about, but sometimes we did. Artists such as Laser 3.14, Pure Evil and recently Ludo did shows in his garage gallery this year. If you know the address, you might call yourself lucky. We are sure that he will treat us with more amazing shows in 2012.
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Mark Chalmers & Gaia. Photo: Geoff Hargadon
1. (Personal) highlight of 2011
2011 has been a year of highlights. MOCA's Art in the Streets set the tone and built solid international recognition for the genre and i've been honoured to work with the best - EINE, Shoe, ROA, Gaia, C215, Pure Evil, Cash For Your Warhol, Ludo and our very own Laser 3.14. In October I was with Cash For Your Warhol for London's Moniker Art Fair. Geoff Hargadon the artist always entertains. We also hit Miami. Key events include Steve Lazarides Minotaur exhibition which was spectacular and Jordan Seiler's Underbelly project was a show stealer at this years Miami Basel.
2. What makes Amsterdam attractive for street artists to live or visit?
It's a great city who ever you are. Artists get their hand's dirty every day. They define themselves by what they do and make and Amsterdam is a very real city. It's hands on.
3. If an artist of choice could paint at any location in Amsterdam, where would you want him/her to do so?
Has to be NDSM, the ship builder warehouses. Have you seen the big blue doors? They are enormous. They are incredible and also a monument, but if a wall could be hit regularly, the warehouse buildings viewable from the A4 on the way to Schiphol would be great.
4. Which street artist(s) are we gonna hear more about in 2012.
Retna. For the West coast of the States it's going to be Retna, He's hitting big and hard right now. For Europe keep an eye on Ludo. He's really finding some scale. Laser 3.14 has developed some great studio work and will show stateside While Roa kicks off the year with a show in Stockholm. As the financial markets find turmoil, next year is the year for the artists.
Link: thegarageamsterdam.com