Please Stop The Violence - Fame x Stereotype @ Overspray
by Scott Brown
What happens when two Staten Island movements meet up and collaborate for a good cause? A full campaign and mural to stop violence in not just Staten Island and the other 4 boroughs, but the world. Enter FAMExSTEREOTYPE, the ultimate collision of two up and coming brands wanting to make a statement…
Overspray NYC is an artistic playground located at 12 Broad St, Staten Island in downtown Staten Island.
After getting a text from a good friend of mine in regards of needing a graffiti artist for a mural, my interest was immediately gained. I was put in contact with Dave Noodlez, founder of stereoTYPE Collective, a Staten Island based fashion brand, who was in need of an artist to do a mural for a campaign he was starting called “Please Stop the Violence”, which was inspired by a poem written and performed by his girlfriend. Watch below
After weeks of going back and forth to make sure this mural was doable, as well as perfect for the “movement”, I stopped by Overspray, a brand new store located in Staten Island’s Stapleton neighborhood, where the NYC Arts Cypher currently calls itself home. The store is completely covered in artwork from local artists, one wall from our partner Reph Paint, which is located on the left wing of the stage where open mics, local musicians, or artists could perform live shows.
I was told I would be doing a wall that is located in the left window display which could be seen from Bay Street,a busy street in the North Shore neighborhood. It was primetime, and I had to make sure it was perfect, especially since I grew up in the neighborhood since my dad was born and raised around the corner on Broad Street. Nervous it wouldn’t be perfect like the other artwork displayed in the store, I got in the zone and took my time.
After two days, tallying up many hours of inhaling spray paint and the constant running back and forth inside to outside, the project was finally done. The mural is a 4.5 foot tall/wide stop sign that is accompanied by the words “Please, the, and violence” written in graffiti to read the campaign name “Please Stop the Violence”. Subliminally, inside the stop sign, the words “Don’t” and “Dreaming” are slightly visible to read “Don’t Stop Dreaming”, a popular line Dave of stereoTYPE goes by.
Mini Mural Please Stop the Violence by Scott Brown
The wall can be seen at Overspray NYC: The Artistic Playground, 12 Broad Street, Staten Island, NY which is now open to the public as of October 14th. A portable canvas mural that replicates the wall (seen above) can also be seen at select events. Find them on Facebook to keep up with all events they will be hosting in the near future. FAMExREPHLECTION has a few events planned at the location and we will release more information once confirmed!
Finished front window at Overspray 12 Broad St, Staten Island
Make sure you check out the official stereoTYPE page and buy some gear! #SupportLocalArt.
-Scott