Anyone with a passing interest in street art will be well aware of Brasilian Street Art. Tristan Manco, Caleb Neelon, and Lost Art showcased a number of Brazilian artists in their book on the subject Graffiti Brasil. It was only a matter of time before someone looked beyond Brasil and explored other areas in South America. I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak at a preview copy of this fantastic new book a few weeks ago when I met the publisher and designer from 8books.

"Street Art Chile" has been written by Dr Rodney Palmer an art historian, writer and critic who has worked on Latin American art since the 1980s when he wrote his Courtauld Institute MA report on ‘René Portocarrero and Cuban Painting 1937–67’.

His new book covers all parts of Chile, from Arica to Punta Arenas, with special focus on Santiago and Valparaíso, both key centres of Latin American street art. Distinctive cities such as Iquique, Chillán, Concepción and Puerto Montt, and areas of the country rarely seen,are featured. The book includes an introduction to the history and flavour of Chilean street art; a glossary of graffiti terms; manifestos; and translations of all the graffiti shown.


The contemporary artists and graffiteros shown in the pages have their roots in Latin American propagandistic murals, but look forward. Artists such as Bomber West, Charqui Punk, Dana Pink, Elodio, Inti, Piguan, Pussyz Soul Food, Ritalin Crew, Vazko and Yisa are informed by Latin American, European and North American (especially West Coast) art and music, but have their own Chilean slant.

A launch party for the book will be held at Nelly Duff on Thursday May 8th, 2008. The author will be signing copies on the night.

Nelly Duff | 156 Columbia Road | London E2 7RG