From Painted Cans to Painted Streets – Deep’s Journey in Graffiti
I saw this Mike Tyson painted by a graffiti artist in Kolkata in person and was left stunned and proud at the same time. Deep, is that by you? Yes! He smiled back and answered.
This was the first time I was seeing Deep’s work.
Wall upon wall in Shobha Bazar, Kolkata carried his signature graffiti. We went around in the middle of the night on his bike to Kumortulli (the famous clay statue street), Sonagachi (the famous red light district) and to Shyampukur (Where Mohan Bagan was formed). He had turned every street corner into his graffiti studio. It was clear I was standing beside a true graffiti artist in Kolkata.
He took me around North Kolkata like an excited child showing his toy stacked room.
This was 2 months back. I painted my own little Pink Panther next to this Tyson graffiti if anyone remembers.
Cut to a few days back, I was scrolling through Flame Paint Instagram handle. I used to manage their socials and was looking for some references for contests I had organized back in the day. I came upon this winner announcement poster.
It suddenly reminded me of how it all began for Deep back in 2021. The journey of this graffiti artist in Kolkata had started long before his work reached the public eye.
How Did the Journey of This Graffiti Artist in Kolkata Begin?
I sent Deep a screenshot of this post and I felt it touched a nerve somewhere for both of us.
For him because it brought back memories of how it all began for him. The struggles at home, the pain of being penniless, the desire to grow shrouded by the confusion of how.
For me because it reinforced how big of an impact, a small little contest pushed by me could do for young artists in all parts of the country. It showed how big of an achievement, winning a small little contest meant for a young graffiti artist back then.
3 cans is all it took to brighten up the day for little Deep. Now the evolved Deep plays with dozens at a time and doesn’t blink before ordering these cans himself.
From a Young Graffiti Artist in Kolkata to a National Talent
Now we works with the biggest of the brands. Now he IS one of the best graffiti artists not just in Kolkata but in India.
He is an illustrator and a Bboy as well. A proper hip hop artist.
One who didn’t let his impoverished family background break his dreams. Pain has been his breakfast for years.
And although, there is still some way to go for him to make it to the top and completely climb out of the struggles, he continues to breathe the streets. Continues to dance his way from one corner of the city to another. Harboring dreams to make it big internationally as a graffiti artist one day.
A Salute To Every Graffiti Artist in Kolkata
The city continues to nurture many graffiti artists in Kolkata who chase their dreams, just like Deep. There are others like him out there. All of them are fighting to keep that artist alive.
This is a salute to them all and of course to Deep. Keep the lamp of hope alive in the city of joy little brother!
To follow Deep and his journey, you can check out his Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/deepholic__/
To read more artist stories like this, check out the Wicked Broz street art magazine.
