Innovative architects teach seniors graffiti art

The city of Piteå celebrates its 400th anniversary and as part of the celebrations, architects and artists Kim Granberg and Johan Björn have guided pensioners and students in the art form of graffiti. Together they run the studio MURAL, which offers a unique mix of street art and architecture.

Each participant received their own canvas. Set up in Södra hamn in Piteå. Johan Björn is seen on the far right. PHOTO: MURAL

It was no coincidence that Piteå municipality contacted Kim Granberg when the idea was born to let pensioners and young people express themselves through graffiti art. Kim has been an annual feature of the Piteå dances and smiles festival and has also exhibited and organised workshops in "schtan" in the past.

We jumped right in. The idea of letting pensioners and students interpret the words on the Pitheme that they associated with the city seemed exciting. Our job was to create a safe environment for the new graffiti artists to try their hand," says Kim Granberg.

It wasn't just the given spray cans that were on hand. Other techniques could also be used. What they had in common, however, was that no one had created graffiti before.

Students and pensioners got together to express themselves with graffiti. A project steeped in joy. PHOTO: Ricky Sandberg

Each participant was given their own large canvas and the concept was partly to let the Pite residents follow the creative process.

Södra hamn in Piteå, where we have been, is a very public place. This meant that many people could take part in the project and follow its development. Many people stopped by and were curious, and some came back to see how things were going," says Johan Björn.

Unique mix of street art and traditional architecture

At first glance, few people might see architecture and graffiti as adjacent art forms, but for Johan and Kim, combining the two is natural. The studio, which offers traditional architectural services, has also developed movement paths for children - which clearly breathe street art in their expression.

For the MURAL guys, one form of expression influences the other and enriches the crafts from both sides.

There are more similarities than you might think. For example, both forms of expression celebrate the line, says Johan.

Kim fill in.

Yes, and somehow graffiti also celebrates the city and creates reactions. It's fun to debate, I think. Graffiti and street art influence the cityscape, as of course does architecture.

For MURAL architecture, it is a strength to allow two seemingly different expressions to coexist under the same roof. You can appreciate a colourful wall just as much as a "clean" cement structure, one of them said.

Senior citizen Ivar Johansson (seen in the picture) worked for two days on his work. PHOTO: Ricky Sandberg

The project in Piteå has ended as of 29 August, but it has brought both inspiration and energy to the work on our own projects.

It has been interesting and educational to see both older and younger people using a spray can for the first time. A fun project from which we will take away many great memories," concludes Johan.

" Visit the MURAL architecture website