GRAFFITI ARTISTS OF MEXICO
By Michael Chinnici
On a recent scouting trip to Mexico my photographer friend Elena was kind enough to show me around her hometown of Monterrey. As we drove through downtown I noticed a group of people having a conversation while looking and pointing at the wall of a building. We were in an area of Monterrey known for its graffiti art which adorns many of the old and restored buildings. We decided to circle back to see what was going on and soon discovered that they were discussing the mural that they were about to get started on. We listened in and then introduced ourselves.
Standing there were five graffiti artists and several of their friends. I would later find out that the artists names were Nijah Vhul, Fando Criez, Geudubnimus Bosch, Jaaska Se Chikauak Tekolotl and Drome Reyes.
My portrait of graffiti artists (left to right) Nijah Vhul, Fando Criez, Geudubnimus Bosch, Jaaska Se Chikauak Tekolotl and Drome Reyes working on their mural project in Monterrey, Mexico. © 2016 Michael Chinnici (FujiFilm X-T2 w/Fuji 16mm f/1.4 lens – 1/160 sec at f/10, ISO 640)
I explained that I was a photographer from New York and that I would love to photograph them painting their mural. They warmly welcomed me, some more curious than others as to why I was interested in documenting their work. Soon I was photographing them and making conversation. I was careful not to get in their way and wear out my welcome. They seems surprised that I was so interested in photographing them. As an artist I could understand where they were coming from. As a street photographer it all seems very natural to me. A big thank you to Tony Rayas (Jaaska’s friend) who was kind enough to be my translator and my social media connection afterwards.
A ladder and spray paint can still life in Monterrey, Mexico. © 2016 Michael Chinnici (FujiFilm X-T2 w/Carl Zeiss 32mm f/1.8 lens – 1/680 sec at f/4, ISO 200)
Although I shot a nice collection of images, I especially like the photo above. It feels like a still life. No artist, just his ladder and his tools. The wall, a clean canvas waiting to be attacked. It was really interesting to see the wide array of spray paint cans, nozzles, brushes, rollers and more that they were using. Most of us think of graffiti artists as “hit and run” artists using a lone spray paint can. These guys were very well equipped with an arsenal of tools (as seen in the photo below).
Graffiti artists at work in Monterrey, Mexico. © 2016 Michael Chinnici (FujiFilm X-T2 w/Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 Fisheye lens – 1/160 sec at f/5.6, ISO 320)
Jaaska Se Chikauak Tekolotl sprays a base coat for his mural in Monterrey, Mexico. © 2016 Michael Chinnici (FujiFilm X-T2 w/Fuji 16mm f/1.4 lens – 1/160 sec at f/7.1, ISO 200)
For the shoot I used two FujiFilm X-T2 camera bodies with a variety of lenses. The new X-T2 is an amazing improvement on the already wonderful X-T1. Most were shot with the Fuji 16mm f/1.4 lens (24mm equivalent), but I also used a Carl Zeiss Touit 32mm f/1.8 lens (48mm equivalent) and a Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 fisheye. Why the fisheye, especially with people in the shots? It added an interesting perspective to some of these shots including the photo below where I am looking up at Geudubnimus. I was able to focus on his colorful jeans while still getting an interesting perspective of him with little distortion.
Geudubnimus Bosch checks his phone while working on his mural project in Monterrey, Mexico. © 2016 Michael Chinnici (FujiFilm X-T2 w/Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 Fisheye lens – 1/160 sec at f/5.6, ISO 200)
Fando Criez explains his vision and contribution for his mural project in Monterrey, Mexico. © 2016 Michael Chinnici (FujiFilm X-T2 w/Fuji 16mm f/1.4 lens – 1/160 sec at f/5, ISO 320)
Geudubnimus Bosch prepares to mix paint for his mural project in Monterrey, Mexico. © 2016 Michael Chinnici (FujiFilm X-T2 w/Fuji 16mm f/1.4 lens – 1/160 sec at f/5.6, ISO 250)
The photo below shows the inventory of paint cans these guys brought. The color tops really help the artist find the right color quickly. Between the five artists I think they may have had over 100 spray paint cans.
An arsenal of paint cans ready to be used on a mural project in Monterrey, Mexico. © 2016 Michael Chinnici (FujiFilm X-T2 w/Fuji 16mm f/1.4 lens – 1/160 sec at f/5.6, ISO 320)
One of the beautiful features of the Fuji 16mm f/1.4 lens is its amazing shallow depth of field along with its crazy close focus. It essentially doubles as a macro wide angle lens. In the photo below (and the one with the paint brushes a few more photos down) you can see the effect I am referring to. It’s really nice when you can add some context to a photo like this which is why I shot it with the artists blurred out in the background.
Choose you weapons wisely! Paint cans waiting patiently as a mural project gets underway in Monterrey, Mexico. © 2016 Michael Chinnici (FujiFilm X-T2 w/Fuji 16mm f/1.4 lens – 1/640 sec at f/2.8, ISO 200)
Graffiti artist Fando Criez sketches out his design in Monterrey, Mexico. © 2016 Michael Chinnici (FujiFilm X-T2 w/Fuji 16mm f/1.4 lens – 1/350 sec at f/4, ISO 200)
Drome Reyes spray paints with Jaaska Se Chikauak Tekolotl in the background in Monterrey, Mexico. © 2016 Michael Chinnici (FujiFilm X-T2 w/Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 Fisheye lens – 1/160 sec at f/5.6, ISO 200)
In the photos above and below you can see the drawings they are using as reference. Here I used the fisheye lens to get in close on the drawing pads while preserving enough of the environment for context.
Geudubnimus Bosch’s drawing is about to come to life in Monterrey, Mexico. © 2016 Michael Chinnici (FujiFilm X-T2 w/Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 Fisheye lens – 1/160 sec at f/5.6, ISO 200)
Geudubnimus Bosch pauses for a break in Monterrey, Mexico. © 2016 Michael Chinnici (FujiFilm X-T2 w/Fuji 16mm f/1.4 lens – 1/300 sec at f/4.5, ISO 200)
Different size paint brushes are just some of the tools used by graffiti artists in Monterrey, Mexico. © 2016 Michael Chinnici (FujiFilm X-T2 w/Fuji 16mm f/1.4 lens – 1/1800 sec at f/1.4, ISO 200)
I left after about one hour of photography. They had a long two days ahead of painting and my flight back to New York was early the next morning, so I never got to see the finished masterpiece. However my friend was kind enough to return to the crime scene and capture the finished mural (photo below). So cool that their individual works of art stand on their own, yet are integrated into each others forming one mural.
The finished mural by graffiti artists Nijah Vhul, Fando Criez, Geudubnimus Bosch, Jaaska Se Chikauak Tekolotl and Drome Reyes in Monterrey, Mexico. Photo by Elena.
When I returned home I jumped on Facebook, connected with my new friends and shared the photos. An artist from New York stumbles upon five Mexican artists and creates a bond and memories for years to come. The beauty of the digital age and social media.
BRAVO my friends. I will see you again in Monterrey, this time for beers.
You can find each of my artist friends using the links below.
Nijah Vhul… www.instagram.com/nijahthevhul
Fando Criez… www.instagram.com/fandocriez
Geudubnimus Bosch… www.facebook.com/ruben.medina.374
Jaaska Se Chikauak Tekolotl… www.instagram.com/jaaska_se
Drome Reyes… www.instagram.com/dromereyes
Tony Rayas… www.facebook.com/tony.rayas
Join us in Mexico for the photo adventure of a lifetime (coming soon!)
May all who come as guests… leave as friends®
Nice Michael
Very nice and beautiful shots Drome it’s my nephew and I’m so greatfull that you appreciate there talent they have a future like artist I’m such a proud aunt thank you again
Fantastic images, as usual, Michael. The back story was interesting and well -written. In addition, I appreciate your inclusion of the equipment you used to capture the images, as well as the thought progress behind them. I look forward to seeing more stories like this from you. I’m hoping that by studying your work I will be able to hone my skills!