Graffiti is Art

Angel Perez

By Chace Alvarez

Colors drippings from the nozzles of his spray cans, artist Angel Perez paints extraordinary graffiti art.

Graffiti is usually something society looks down on but Perez creates something so vivid it becomes eye candy for the mind and changes people’s impressions of this art. His work is unusual for the common spectator but the appreciation for it is gaining traction.

“People just see it as graffiti and automatically think it’s bad,” Perez explained. “There are so many striving artists out there like myself that are trying to express themselves through their art and people just put it down. People who actually take the time to look at what’s being done and take in what they are really seeing appreciate it.”

Perez makes magnificent murals using greens, yellows, blues and reds. The compositions can include lettering, images and swirling lines. One of the most unique aspects of his work is how he manipulates colors by dripping spray paint down his canvases, which is special to graffiti art.

Perez explained the process of his art work. “Usually throughout the day I’ll see something and wonder how this would look this way or if I warp it… and just shape it into my own creation. If I see something that inspires me and I’m able to create something out of that, it’s a great feeling.”

“He’s magnificent at being able to look at something like a letter, object or shape and just craft it to his will and pleasing,” said Gerardo Lopez, friend of Perez.

CSN student Joe F. Delgado said, “His work gives you a different perspective. It almost puts you in his shoes seeing what he sees and that makes it so much more surreal.”

Perez’s graffiti art

Perez first discovered street art when he was teenager. He watched other people create art, which inspired him to create his own. “When I first realized I had some kind of artistic skill when I was 16 years old it really opened my world,” Perez said. “It’s more than just graffiti; it is a different playing field for people who have become masters of the art.”

“What really inspires my art and style are the important things that inspire me: friends, family, people and life,” Perez said. “Being able to really appreciate the things that you have in life and then turn it into something others can appreciate is a good feeling. I want to be able to inspire someone with my art the way art inspires me.”

“I would really like to have my work up in more places for people to see,” Perez said. “I was thinking about showcasing my art at First Friday and maybe even selling some of my artwork. It would be great to get more feedback from others that don’t know of me.”

Perez said, “I would love to sell my art to people who appreciate it, but for now I don’t mind continuing giving away my work to friends and family and anyone else who knows my work.”

Perez is currently studying to get an associate degree at CSN to expand his profession. Perez said, “If I was given the chance to have my work displayed around CSN I would. I hope other artists would see how different my work is.”