Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriel Flash Carrasquillo Jr.
Gabriel, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Born in the Humboldt Park neighborhood in 1967 and burned out and moved to Logan Square in 1972 where was raised. In 1982, I joined one of the first Graffiti crews in Chicago, Artistic Bombing Crew-(ABC) and began painting Chicago rooftops bringing New York style Graffiti to the masses between 1982 and 1987. Soon, I became known as “Flash” for my passion and ability to take pictures and document our environment.
On Memorial Day weekend, 2003, over 100 Graffiti artist gathered at 59 & Western for a huge paint reunion.
Two years later, 2005, I would become the Moderator for the Chicago Graffiti Forums, a site used by school and universities as a place of reference for their students in learning about the history of Chicago Graffiti. My graffiti photo collection now has over 30 years of Chicago graffiti and street art. The photos have appeared in the first pages of the Chicago section of “Roger Gaston’s History of American Graffiti’, and other publications. One piece is featured in the video game “CRACKDOWN 2” by Ruffhouse for the X-BOX 360.
For the past 8 years, I have has curated “Project Logan” a permission wall which rotates various artistic styles of graffiti. Most recently, we were also invited to participate in the inaugural creation of the 606 Chicago Graffiti Garden Arena and curated the Logan Square dog park. These projects serve as a visual record of an ever-changing community and the evolution of graffiti.
Has it been a smooth road?
No. Not with the city denying graffiti as a form of art and the ban on Spray paint. In 2003, when we came back to the scene we found out that graffiti was only allowed in certain parts of the city. My neighborhood was not one of them. Logan Square was very conservative and local neighborhood associations were against even talking about permission walls. Now, we are starting to teach artist the laws and know their rights.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with FLASH ABC – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My business is about spreading our art form. It is the last true art form started by kids who felt oppressed and had no outlet I am very proud of the artist who has come out and supported the wall. Although I work with graffiti artist, I do extend the wall to an artist that is willing to work with me and the scheduling of the wall.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I like that we are one of few cities with massive transit trains. I love our CTA trains. I can get to one side of the city to the other without a car. I hate the politicians that hold us back. We have too many crooked aldermen compared to other cities.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://projectlogan.tumblr.com/
- Phone: 773-779-1710
- Email: flashabc@gmail.com
- Instagram: flash_abc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gcarrasquillo
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/flashabc
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
