Wall painted as a dedication to Olga Sahagian (Grandma of Graffiti) in Melbourne.
Painted by: Ling, Porno, Ethics, Jors, Shem, Exist, Peril, Paris, Dvate, Sabeth, Aksis, Jest, Dose, Rase, Meggs, Deb, Ghetto & Sahagian family.
Here is a bit of history on Olga and how this Melbourne wall came to be:
“Olga Sahagian and her Husband Nubar Sahagian arrived in the U.S.A in
the 1960’s settling in the Bronx. She was born in Egypt and was the
youngest of 6. Olga and her brother Jairair were the only 2 to settle
in the U.S.A. Olga’s other 3 brothers Derick, Paul, Gerard settled in
Australia and her sister Mary settled in England.
The Bronx was a rough place in the 60’s and 70’s. Olga Sahagian was
the mother of the neighborhood. She used to cook for all the kids and
make sure they were safe. It didn’t matter to Olga whether the
children were hers or not. In Olga’s eyes they were all ‘her children’
and needed to be looked after. We had the only house on our block 2680
Morris Ave. Bronx N.Y. 10468 where kids used to play games. We used to
throw jams where the kids would play the guitar and drums and everyone
would gather around our house to listen to the music. As tough as our
neighborhood was it was also filled with brotherhood and family.
My grandmother used to buy the children markers and paint supplies in
order to keep them safe. Little did she know that those same kids
would perfect their names on canvas only to transfer them on the
subways. Wildstyle, was born – Modern graffiti was born! Break dancing
was everywhere and a culture was born! I was very young but I can
remember great people who influenced my life and gave me the tools I
needed to navigate and thrive in Kingsbridge. I remember Jimmy Ha Ha
and Com161 RIP used to show me cool tricks when I was only 3 or 4
years old. Tracy168, the iconic instigator of wildstyle, was a huge
figure in my life when it came to graffiti and art.
My grandmother went on to raise 3 more generations supplying that same
safety and refuge that she was known and loved for. She was respected
and loved by all. Olga Sahagian passed away last year at age 79. I
felt compelled to do something to honor a woman who has influenced so
many lives, so I came to Australia to meet my family who my grandma
spoke so much about. Since arriving in Australia I have met so many
wonderful people who love my story and want to do something about it.
Therefore, this is my proposal: I have a group of wonderful graffiti
writers who are willing to do a mural here in Melbourne and I have my
Uncle Tracy168 who will do the same mural in The Bronx on the house we
grew up in. I will document everything on both sides and build a
website where people can go to see the work of great artists in honour
of a great woman.”
We look forward to seeing the website and the wall in The Bronx. Ironlak was proud to support the Melbourne dedication wall.
