An Academic Take on Street Art.
Mural Created by Stink Fish in Malmö, Sweden.
Welcome to frontline street art!
Born out of a need to connect with street and graffiti artists in 2022, FLSA is today growing into a community of people who understand the social, political, and personal power of urban art.
Whether you are an artist, an enthusiast or can’t differentiate street art from graffiti, your voice, and opinions on urban art matter.
FLSA's mission is to connect, educate, and create positive societal change. Everyone is welcome to join!
The Face Behind FLSA & It’s Origin Story
FLSA was created by myself, Philippa Scholz, as a way to connect and build trust with the urban art community in Colombia while stuck in Sweden during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Having experienced first hand the political and social power street art, graffiti, and murals created during the national protests in Colombia (2021), I decided to write my BSc thesis on the topic. However, due to financial restraints as well as the pandemic, I was forced to get creative with how I could conduct my data collection.
Resultingly, FLSA was born. Having grown up in a digital age, I knew the power of social media and honest communication for creating connections in digital spaces. Not only was the data collection a success, but I also fell in love with the marriage of digital creativity and academics.
FLSA’s Mission Today
Today, FLSA continues to be a way I connect with the urban art community internationally and is assisting me while finishing my MSc thesis on the political significance of Urban Art in Bogotá, Colombia.
I have big dreams though of how the platform and community could grow. Like many others in todays political and economic climate, I have been searching for ways in which I can fight for the protection of human rights and an equitable world.
As I have found in my research as well as through personal experience, urban art is a way in which humans can connect with the creator, each other and themselves. I believe I can create my small positive impact by creating spaces for reflection and connection using the medium of urban art.
By conducting research, sharing stories and creating, I hope to invite anyone interested to open up their awareness of the power of art in the public sphere.
Current and Upcoming Projects
‘Arte Desde El Paro’ (Art Since The Protest) is a current gallery exhibition created by FLSA in collaboration with photographer Eric Stone and OCIO Gallery in Bogotá. It is moving, powerful and gives an insight into the urban art community of Colombia's capital city.
A digital gallery of Arte Desde El Paro is available for you.
Art Gallery
Additionally, a podcast series is in production spotlighting street and graffiti artists from all around the world. Each episode will introduce a new artist who uses their work to platform issues and create change. They will share their artistic journey, their inspirations and the impact of their work.
You can follow along and get updates when the podcast is live by following FLSA on Instagram.
