BLAM & BONZAI - Graffiti Video 07/10/2007

When filmmaker James Hughes first suggested making a graffiti video following a days work with the artists Blam and Bonzai, it was over a few pints of Guinness, a couple of packets of cheese and onion crisps and a cheap burger at Wetherspoons with the artists themselves. He wanted to capture what the artists managed to accomplish in a single day down the South Bank of London.

Each artist has their own unique style. Blam (Stuart Barrie) paints photo-like images while Bonzai (David Thomas) concentrates more on shapes and sharp edges. Their work compliments eachothers' perfectly; the subtlety of Blam’s with the bold and vivid shapes of Bonzai’s.

The actual shoot for the video took place on a Saturday. They arrive early to make sure that the wall that they usually paint on is free. From there it’s straight to work to get the drawings, pictures, ideas and sketches transferred to the wall in paint. During the day lots of people, from children to adults, watch and admire the work, and are always surprised by what can be achieved with spray paint. One passer-by commented that the piece Blam & Bonzai were working on was better than anything they had seen at the Tate Modern that day.

Each time they paint, they are always trying to push themselves further creatively, making sure that their art is always moving forward. Blam & Bonzai can be found most weekends painting down at the South Bank of London.