“everything is still there”

an ode to ‘het Graffitistraatje’ and its artists

 

Ghent’s graffiti alley has a colorful but hidden history. Emerged from the underground, the people of Ghent knew Werregarenstraat as a red-light district where a coffin maker had his workshop.But how did it become a canvas for young artists? 

 


In the mid-90s the graffiti scene played a cat-and-mouse game with the authorities: like hunted prey, they left their mark on the city center at the risk of heavy fines and prison sentences. However, the arrival of the American artist John Matos ‘CRASH’ in Ghent marked a turning point: then-mayor Frank Beke granted permission to leave an artwork in Werregarenstraatje.

 

By and by, the graffiti artists sought permission from all the alley’s property owners, turning the backstreet into an official graffiti street. This turning point paved the way for what has become a beloved and dynamic part of the city’s culture. The Werregarenstraat is more than just a collection of murals — it turned into a living archive of Ghent. Each layer of paint hides another, reflecting the vibrant nature of both urban art and this city.

 

 

Kopie-van-IMG_20240305_113211~2-min

 

PHASE

 

Phase, a pioneer and driving force in Ghent’s underground scene, became inseparable from the alley. He was one of the first artists to paint here, stayed until the end of his life, and was always present to help where needed. Those who search will still find a piece that stands untouched to this day. Photographer Nicolas Maeterlinck, who captured the early years of the alley, followed Phase throughout his career. His images pay tribute to the artist and the movement he helped shape.

 

 

Kopie van Image68-min

 

 

One of the most memorable stories from his early days dates back to the 1980s, when, at just 14 years old, Phase left a piece on the walls of the Decascoop (now Kinepolis). The owner, outraged, distributed flyers to every school in Ghent, offering a reward of 25,000 Belgian francs for anyone who could identify the artist. But no one snitched. A defining story of the constant quest of young artists for a canvas in the city center.

 

 

ZOMBIE-kleur-min

 

In 2025 the street will celebrate 30 years of securing a place in the heart of Ghent.

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