General Features

Graffiti terms: street slang guide

Graff: Street name for graffiti art.

Toy: Inexperienced graffiti artist.

Piece: Graffiti art which includes several colours and possibly graphics, usually pre planned.

Throw-ups: Basic outline and filler , quick piece of graffiti art.

Black book: Graffiti artists refer to their sketch books as “black books”. It is their portfolio of sketches, photos and artwork.

Jam: A gathering of artists to work on one piece.

Dubs: Two colour throw ups.

Burners: Description of a really good piece.

Getting up: Getting your art/name noticed.

Wild style: A style of graffiti - Fancy lettering/patterns that are more difficult to read.

Kings/Legends: The old style writers: inspirational.

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My name is Ryan, and I’m what’s commonly known as a graffiti artist. 

Two years ago I was contacted by some girls at school about a graffiti workshop at the Courtyard Youth Centre in Bicester. 

We would be working on backing scenery for a stage at an arts festival. 

I took the workshop as I was just getting into the scene and wanted to paint.

After a week at the workshop, Claire a youth worker from the centre, was interested in creating a project similar to what we had just done. 

A few months down the line we started to have meetings about it until it came to the point were things started to really kick off and we had approval from the national heritage lottery fund to keep the project going.

Since then we have gone on graff productions, tours and weekends away.  We hold jams at the courtyard and have a seven strong crew of writers, working towards painting and getting a legal wall space.

I’ve just completed a Diploma in Media, and am now going onto a national diploma in graphic design so everything seems to be fitting together nicely.

I write because it’s a skill not everyone has.

I hate to be the same as everyone else and love having something other people don’t, that’s why we all have our own style and techniques!

When I started I would sketch letters in maths and science which took over all my academic work, but was worth it in the long run as its got me jobs and placements in college. But kids, stay in school.

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I’m Ryan.E,

I have not always focused on graffiti but art altogether - being as creative as possible.

I also produce music. Certain books such as Subway Art and Gettin Up showed me that the scene was big and there were thousands of writers showing off their styles and ideas around the world. 

The graffiti course has helped me develop my own style, which has allowed me to continue to further education.  I got a place at Aylesbury College studying art and design because of the work I produced on the graff course.

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Claire Blackburn: Youthworker at Bicester Courtyard Youth Arts Centre:

The Graffiti Project is a Heritage Lottery Funded Young Roots project that was developed and managed by the Bicester Area Team of the Oxfordshire Youth Service.

The project is run in partnership with The Courtyard Youth Arts Centre and The Pitt Rivers Museum and aims to explore the history of graffiti art alongside developing the practical skills of the art form.

We mix research and black book work with planning and producing pieces of art on walls.

If you wish to find out more about the graffiti project email: claire.blackburn@Oxfordshire.gov.uk