When most people think of graffiti they think of tagging train cars and alleyways, but for one local artist, graffiti has become a paying gig.
Reply is a former art student who has been doing graffiti for years. He says that one of the things that appealed to him about graffiti was just how thrilling he found it.
“It’s addicting in a way you know it’s fun. Applying paint to a surface it’s colorful, it’s fun, it’s enjoyable. Once you do something good that you’re proud of, it seems more fun, because it just pushes you to go harder.”
But more recently he has been securing commissions for his work, with some businesses paying him to paint their walls.
“I always wanted to be an artist for a career, but recently I’ve been able to transition into doing commission work and canvases for people, incorporating certain ideas or images, that maybe represent their childhood or that have some sort of significant meaning to them.”
This is part of a growing trend in the area, as Fargo has begun to gain a reputation as a graffiti hub in the Midwest, with artists from LA, New York, Chicago, and the Twin Cities traveling to work on projects in the area.
“Across the whole US you find people from other places who come through Fargo and leave their mark, and it’s actually really cool to see. It’s cool to see us get some recognition for our city, cause it’s a growing hub in the Midwest.”
Parachigo, a local art store and music venue, partnered with Reply, who painted a piece inside their current location.
They say that they love working with graffiti artists, because their work brings a lot of humanity to our public spaces.
“I think it’s an upgrade, and nice to see people being paid for their art, and to make downtown more human.”
Reply says he’s excited by the growing interest in graffiti in Fargo, and he thinks it will only keep on growing.
“I think it’s cool to see people progress. As far as kids putting something ugly, little scribbles a the wall compare that to something huge and actually colorful and actually has some sort of meaning and significance to the culture.”
For any aspiring graffiti artists, the art wall in downtown Fargo is a great place to start.
