Read on Twitter
Finally, an airing of CRUSH's very open secrets. I've long hoped for actual critical discussion of this "festival," instead of the endless cheerleading disguised as "supporting artists!" There's some important, thoughtful convos in this piece. #Denver and beyond, please read. https://twitter.com/303_Magazine/status/1308841745891946496
I'm also about to unload in a giant thread here!
I am friends w the artist who came forward about being assaulted by CRUSH founder Robin Munro. They have been torn up about this for years. This abuse by him was an open secret, tho- and goes beyond just one artist being abused.
I am friends w the artist who came forward about being assaulted by CRUSH founder Robin Munro. They have been torn up about this for years. This abuse by him was an open secret, tho- and goes beyond just one artist being abused.
Robin has also intimidated women making art publicly. Even when artists have gone off to start their own fests and create space for women to paint publicly, he's shown up and been aggressive toward them. And he's not the only one.
Myself & other women have been bullied by BIG names in the graffiti world. #Denver artists who get clout/political backing/contracts/city+private money, all while gatekeeping+slutshaming women to keep us at arms' length of any actual participation in this corner of the art world
Is graffiti my lane? No. Is being bullied by an "untouchable" graf artist who trades in misogyny my lane? Yes. Is art+gentrification in #Denver my lane? Yes. When women who came up thru graffiti ask for support addressing gatekeeping/slutshaming in graffiti, is that my lane? Yes.
And something else about CRUSH- people (particularly women & particularly women of color) have been excluded from from the event for many years. When some do participate, they are given shitty walls to paint, the walls won't even be prepped like they are for other artists, etc.
I've spoken w artists who struggle w applying to CRUSH bc of the politics, bc of being treated like crap by onlookers, organizers, etc. & bc they struggle w lack of actual movement from the fest to address gentrification & art (beyond a performative mural about gentrification.)
ALSO -and this is a huge part of the role of media, developers, political folks and city boosters- artists feel pressure to apply to be a part of CRUSH because the fest has become some sort of space for validation in this BS world of "credibility."
