Item 3: Big Mouth Subs Graffiti
Artist: Jetene
Location: Big Mouth Subs, 2007
Context: This work of Graffiti can be found at Big Mouth Subs on Third Street. This was done by a true graffiti artist. The owner got tired of having to paint over the graffiti that this artist was doing illegally to the back of the sub shop, so he took down the art in the store and gave the artist an entire wall to tag, as long as it had something to do with the sub shop.
These paintings are extremely rich in detail and personality. I think that because this person was given the opportunity to do what he loves on a blank canvas, then he really took off and ran with it. This was in a sub shop, so the topic of this work of art is obviously a man eating a large and delicious sub sandwich, as well as the Big Mouth Subs name.
I interviewed a worker at Big Mouth Sub Shop about the painting, he wished to remain anonymous so we will name him Dan.
BS: So what is your take on the huge wall of graffiti?
Dan: I think it is really cool, I haven’t worked here that long but it gives the place something extra.
BS: Do you notice a reaction when people see the painting?
Dan: Oh yeah, definitely, I mean (pointing to the wall) it’s kinda heard to miss! Normally when people
come in, this is the first thing they see and they are usually like that’s tight, or that’s really cool, has that been up here the whole time and I just not noticed? It makes me laugh, and I’m like, uh I think that you would notice this painting was up the whole time ya know.