Rua João Morais Barbosa, Lisbon | Erased Graffiti, Spray Paint | ~ 900 cm x ~ 180 cm | May 8th, 2016

Rua João Morais Barbosa, Lisbon (Detail) | Erased Graffiti, Spray Paint | ~ 900 cm x ~ 180 cm | May 8th, 2016

Artist Statement: An old school graffiti fresco displaying as a welcoming phrase “Entre Com Respeito E Seras Respeitado” (Enter with respect and you’ll be respected) in avenuo Professor Francisco da Gama Caeiro at the entrance of Bairro Pedro Cruz was erased by technical services in anticipation of the visit of the Mayor in the neighborhood for the inauguration of a housing project in the neigborhood. When the Cultural services realized that this fresco was considered by local inhabitants as part of the identity of their neighborhood, they asked the original writer to re-paint the piece again.

Similarly, tags, throw ups, and pieces of local writers in avenue Professor Francisco da Gama Caeiro at the entrance of Bairro Padre Cruz were erased by technical services in anticipation of the visit of the Mayor in the neighborhood for inauguration of a housing project in the neigborhood. When Mathieu Tremblin, invited artist for commissioned mural in the frame of Muro festival, realized that these name writing graffiti weren’t considered by Cultural Services as a legitimate part of the neighborhood identity, he decided to proceed to an uncommissioned restoration.