Before the works of art by Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring sold for millions, they were illegally sprayed onto city surfaces.
The transition from graffiti to gallery is controversial, but three young men from Boyle Heights argue that the fine line between the two can only be solved with a spray can.
“Three little kids who grew up here ended up creating something very special for all of us,” Turcios said.
Right in the heart of Southern California’s Latino community lies a unique shop that embraces the art of graffiti.
“There was never anything like it in Boyle Heights, I think one went to South Central or downtown,” Aliado said.
The company has earned quite a following and has become something of a haven for the street art community.
“We basically sell everything you can do with art,” says Danny Diaz. “We have spray cans for canvases, murals… our sketchbooks, our black books, our markers.”
For Andrew Salcedo, Diaz and Turcios, “Calle Sucia” is more than just an art store. For the artists it is their crowning achievement.
The idea came to these friends while they were working on a memorial mural in honor of Turcio’s brother who died in a tragic accident. The name of the store was influenced by the death.
“It means ‘the dirty streets,’” Diaz said. “La Calle Sucia is just the worst and the best thing about it, you know, the good and the bad.”
While you might think that a store with ties to graffiti artists would be an undesirable addition to the neighborhood, you’re wrong. Most people in the company have no problem with the efforts of the young men.
“Everyone does business in a way that they think can improve their lives,” flower shop owner Agustin Bonilla said in Spanish.
The owners of Calle Sucia believe their ties to the community benefit their relationships with neighboring businesses.
“Our neighbors to our right, to our left, probably saw us growing up here,” Turcios said.
These friends’ love of art began at the nearby Boys and Girls Club. They were deeply influenced by the graffiti that adorned almost every street in their neighborhood. Crosstown LA said their community topped the list of graffiti cleanup reports in the county.
“It’s something that’s just growing here,” Salcedo said. “There were more graffiti groups than in any sport.”
It seems like there’s a whole new generation that will make their mark, and not just in Boyle Heights. Recently, Oceanwide Plaza in downtown Los Angeles became the controversial canvas for taggers. Although painting private property without permission and trespassing is illegal, those in the graffiti community who have accomplished this dangerous feat have earned a great reputation and notoriety.
“At the end of the day, it’s art,” Turcios said. “You have two deserted places there, make the best of it.”
While many children come to the store looking for supplies, the owners say they follow the rules and encourage the children to work on their craft in other ways.
“Graffiti to me is the same as building your letter structure,” Salcedo said. “It’s really just building your identity. It doesn’t always have to be an illegal act. It’s really just self-expression.”
Most agree that freedom of expression is a universal right, but the debate over whether graffiti is art or vandalism is much more complex.
Although La Calle Sucia has been open for less than a year and a half, they have already held a backpack and Christmas toy giveaway.
Juan Fernandez
