Vijz
Speaking life through graffiti in his local language, Vijayaraj aka Vijz, a wild-style artist-illustrator spray paints to bring out the marginalised in an intricate form.
Embarking on his artistic journey as a hip-hop street dancer, Vijz seamlessly shifted to graffiti in 2010, blending the essence of hip-hop culture into the elements of Tamil through his vibrant creations. Reflecting on the project called The Plastic for Change, he shares, “The work portrays the living conditions of waste collectors, illustrating their tireless efforts in collecting and recycling plastics. Such depictions serve as a platform for educating viewers to stand, step aside, ponder upon the written and understand how they too can contribute to the community.” In the fast-paced world, Vijz firmly believes in the captivating power of graffiti to resonate with the younger generation.
Calling it an unconventional form, he shares, “Graffiti commands attention for its ability to transcend generations and communities. It provides a broader platform for individuals to express their interpretations on societal issues freely, fostering social acknowledgement and understanding.”
Hariharan, Kri Foundation
Elevating the spirits to fostering a collective change for the community and by the community, Hariharan, the co-founder of the Kri Foundation embarked on their journey from the Paint Box Movement — a grassroots encouragement effort for individuals to beautify their surroundings.
Operating as a small non-profit organisation focused on public art and waste management, the foundation has curated various empowering and collaborating projects with scrap collectors in Greams Road, The Spastics Society of Tamil Nadu, a lighthouse for children with disabilities, and the Urur Kuppam residents in Besant Nagar etc.
“We painted the compound walls of the Spastics Society with their members, which carried a powerful message of how they have boundless potential in everything they set out to achieve,” shares Hari, adding, “We believe the real change blooms from within communities and empowering them to paint their own spaces, will bring the sense of inclusivity into the place they live in.”