This week in London saw a handful of well-known and emerging street and graffiti artists customise some of Gibson’s most legendary guitars with their own, individual brand of alleged vandalism and raise a pile of cash for Brazil’s ABC Trust (Action for Brazil’s Children) in the mean time.
Together with Gibson Guitars and The ABC Trust, and with some of the worlds best street artists in tow, an exclusive contemporary street art project and auction called A Força da Rua (Force of the Street) was held. All proceeds raised will be aiding the Trust who help raise funds and awareness for Brazil’s most vulnerable children.
The ABC Trust was founded in 1998 by Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page to support the 12,000 homeless children who live on the streets of Brazil. Page chose graffiti and street art to work with as he thought it reflected the rebellious free spirit of music and Brazil’s creative youth. Each of the artists’ work for the guitars reflects how art and music should be accessible and available to young people without discrimination and have the ability to inspire and transform.
Amongst the big guns are some of artrepublic best loved including D*Face, who has his first New York show just on the horizon, Pure Evil, who opted to use a combo of ‘Sex and Moderate Violence Sells’ and his classic Sgt Peppers pastiche, and Will Barras, whose guitar featured more of the delicately illustrated women that we love in his limited editions.
Each were given one of the iconic Gibson guitars and told not to come back until the beautification was complete. The results were amazing and as well as raising a ton of cash for a worthy cause it also served to highlight the creativity that is rife within the street art community.
