Untitled

- Title
- Untitled
- Creator
- Alex Gaiter Smith Alex Smith is an artist, designer, and educator based in Saint Paul. His work includes murals, t-shirts, and other pieces, all influenced by aerosol art. He focuses on creating abstract, graffiti-inspired designs and layered collages. Alex leads the Textile and Screen Printing program at Juxtaposition Arts and teaches aerosol art to young people during the summer. His murals bring new perspectives and representation to the Twin Cities, with a focus on futuristic themes and creative placemaking.
- Date
- Created: Chroma Zone, 2021 & 2022
Documented: October 27, 2024
- Description
- This highly intricate and abstract style of graffiti is illustrated by interlocking letters, complex designs, and vibrant colors which to new viewers often making the text difficult to read, this is known as "Wildstyle". This mural is a remarkable piece of work and it was a very cool experience. The composition of the mural included a Wild style format along with random figures and white spray painted icons in the middle of the letters. Along with this, Smith utilized an array of colors much purple and warmer colors including orange and yellow. Complimented with the array of color palettes smith used several different shapes to make the complexation of the piece stand out. The brick texture of the mural also compliments the “Wildstyle” approach because it contributes to the urban appearance of the piece. This piece also took up the entirety of the side of the building making this a very large space that is taken up. This very much so made the piece more appealing to the people who are able to experience this form of art. Color: The mural features a vibrant array of colors, with a focus on purples, warm oranges, and yellows, creating a dynamic and eye-catching palette. Size: Spanning over the entire side of a building, the mural is massive in scale, making it both immersive and eye-catching. Depth: Smith incorporates intricate shapes, Wildstyle lettering, random figures, and spray-painted icons, layered over the brick texture to enhance the mural's complexity and urban aesthetic.
- Subject
- Smith's plan was to explore the concept of "duality and balance in this mural." According to Smith's testimony... dividing the wall into two distinct sections is ideal for this concept, with each part equal in size and shape but contrasting in both color and style. One side has an organic, free-flowing feel and the other is mechanical and structured, which symbolizes the yin and yang of life. Both designs are vibrant and detailed. Which illustrates shapes that form letters without actual words and utilizes movement to express the harmony between freedom and order. This mural isn’t just about how the two sides look different—it’s also about making people think about how opposites are connected in life. The organic, flowing side feels natural and creative, while the mechanical, structured side feels more logical and precise. Together, they show the push and pull we all experience in trying to find balance. The vibrant colors and hinted shapes that almost look like letters make you focus more on the feelings and energy of the piece instead of trying to read it like words. By bringing these two very different styles together, Smith creates a powerful reminder that harmony comes when opposites find a way to work together.
- Rights
- Artist: Alex Gaiter Smith
Researcher: Connor Cavers - Source
- "Alex Smith." Chromazone Mural & Art Festival, www.chromazone.net/alex-smith
Forecast Public Art. "Chroma Zone 2021 Artists." Forecast Public Art, Forecast Public Art, 2021, https://forecastpublicart.org/chroma-zone-2021-artists
Juxtaposition Arts. "Check It Out! A Brand-New Mural by Our Very Own Alex Smith Now on View at The Day." Facebook, 25 Nov. 2019, https://www.facebook.com/JuxtapositionArts/posts/check-it-out-a-brand-new-mural-by-our-very-own-alex-smith-now-on-view-at-the-day/2410314719028960/.
Collection
Citation
Alex Gaiter Smith Alex Smith is an artist, designer, and educator based in Saint Paul. His work includes murals, t-shirts, and other pieces, all influenced by aerosol art. He focuses on creating abstract, graffiti-inspired designs and layered collages. Alex leads the Textile and Screen Printing program at Juxtaposition Arts and teaches aerosol art to young people during the summer. His murals bring new perspectives and representation to the Twin Cities, with a focus on futuristic themes and creative placemaking., “Untitled,” accessed February 12, 2025, https://mspmurals.omeka.net/items/show/49.