We G.O.T. Love For GIRLS ON TOP

Ivee

Sat

04/30/2011

In mid March this year GIRLS ON TOP crew hosted an all-female graf jam in Stockwell, UK which resulted in this awesome outer space themed wall. The event included a whole heap of writers from the age of 10 through to early 40′s with artists traveling from North and South UK as well as France, Germany and South Africa to be part of the Spring jam.

Writers reppin’ on the day included CHOCK, MOTOR, KITE, MOTEL 7, CANDIE BANDIT, SHE, NEO NITA, MUKA, ELMO, MISS C, WEGAH, PUNISH, AKIT, CRY, LEWSE, ICB1, STEDHEAD, BUBS, UNCANDY, FEDUP, CHI, LEILA and AERO.

I recently caught up with lady-in-charge CHOCK to find out more about how the event went down.

From the videos it looks like it was a really great day! What were some of the highlights?

Seeing the whole wall finished was great and just the amount of people that came down really. Loads of people had heard about it and stopped by to check it out and have a chat, good times!

What about anything funny?

The police came and stuck their faces in to see what we were doing and got a very dull, lukewarm reception when they tried to be friendly. Everyone just stared at their shoes

I love when cops try and be all friendly and get blank faces in response haha. What do you want to achieve by putting on events like this?

For this jam I wanted to unite the female graffiti scene. I am aiming to do at least 1 event like this a year. Some of the boys that were there were saying it’s sexist but I don’t see what the problem is as it’s only 1 day and us girls rarely get a chance to all paint all together as we are all spread out, the scene is very small really.

I hear that sexist thing everytime a bunch of girls decide to paint a wall together, it’s an easy card to pull. Sounds like an achievement to get so many girls together in the one place, on one day! Do you think events like this are really important for younger females?

Well it has inspired everyone that little bit more and given us all a sense of camaraderie I think and hopefully those who didn’t come have seen the pictures and will make it down next time.

Is mentoring a big part of it?

I teach kids anyway so that is my day job so I guess that kind of is part of it but the jam is really a fun day of painting with no restraints.

So I know you plan on holding more events like this. Can you tell us about any plans for future jams?

We’re having a fundraiser in Gateshead for the Japanese victims, which will be a mixed jam. We are all painting Studio Ghibli style. There will be another G.O.T jam in October and hopefully we will have a bit of funding for that one. I want to do one in the North of England as a lot of the Northern girls didn’t make it down to London and likewise for the Manchester jam we had in 2010.

Thanks CHOCK, we look forward to seeing photos from more of your jams!

Here are some images from the day: