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LOST PHASE 2 MURAL RESTORED AND REVEALED IN AMSTERDAM
A long-lost mural by the legendary artist PHASE 2, a pioneer in graffiti and hip-hop culture, has been restored and will be unveiled on April 3, 2025 at Vrij Paleis, Amsterdam.
PHASE 2 (New York,1955-2019) was a pioneering American stylewriter, also known as
the inventor of the ‘bubble letter’. He began tagging subway trains during the early 1970s, and later became a founding member of United Graffiti Artists. As graffiti culture took off during the late seventies, he also was a key figure in spreading the growing hip-hop scene from the Bronx to Manhattan. Nowadays PHASE 2 is recognized as one of the most influential founders of modern graffiti.
ANTI-MUSEUM
In 1992 Jan Muller, curator of Galerie K.I.S. (today Vrij Paleis) and legendary New York gallery owner Hugo Martinez organized ‘ANTI-MUSEUM’. A group exhibition of New York underground graffiti pioneers, who were not invited to participate at the Groninger Museum’s retrospective exhibition “Coming From The Subway”, that took place at the same time. ‘ANTI-MUSEUM’ showed works of AMRL, COCO 144, FLINT 707, MICO, PHASE 2, PISTOL, SNAKE and STITCH. All of them paved the road for the artists shown at the Groninger Museum. The artworks were executed in Amsterdam and the opening took place on September 5th, 1992.
white paint
PHASE 2 was the only writer who painted a mural inside the gallery. This masterpiece defined the gallery’s image for years. It was eventually painted over with white paint, seemingly lost forever.
only three existing PHASE 2 murals in the world
The good news: the PHASE 2 mural is back and looks great! A year ago, Kees Kamper, author of ‘AMSTERDAM STREET ART’, tied forces with the municipality of Amsterdam, the artists of Vrij Paleis and graffiti artist-curator Mick La Rock to restore and preserve
this gem in the center of Amsterdam. With only three known PHASE 2 murals existing worldwide, this restoration is of epic cultural significance.
Antonio Rava
With the financial generosity of the municipality of Amsterdam ‘Programma Aanpak Binnenstad’, the initiators were able to invite Antonio Rava. Rava is a renowned Italian master art conservator, who previously restored the Amsterdam Keith Haring mural. Together with his sons, he carefully removed the white paint layers and restored this masterpiece.
Join us at the unveiling of this remarkable piece of cultural heritage.
Thursday April 3, 6:00 pm at Vrij Paleis and be a part of graffiti history.
Conservator Antonio Rava is also present.
Vrij Paleis OPEN is returning in March with a new edition! Join us on the weekend of 28 Feb – 02 March and explore the diversity of artists in Amsterdam.
Opening:
Friday, 28.02: 17:00-22:00
Saturday, 01.03: 12:00-20:00
Sunday, 02.03: 12:00-20:00
20-27 February,
Weekdays: 15:00-21:00
Weekend: 12:00-21:00
OPENING: 20 February, 19:00-22:00
“Interwoven” is group exhibition showcasing Dutch and Ukrainian contemporary art, which explores physical and emotional connection between people and cultures.
Featuring works by 14 talented artists, Interwoven reflects on universal human experiences-navigating hardship, rebuilding identity, and finding hope in the face of displacement.
Through personal artworks and cross-cultural collaborations, “Interwoven” explores the enriching and challenging ties that bind people and cultures. It showcases a curated collection of thought-provoking pieces across various mediums, inviting visitors to contemplate the far-reaching impact of war and reflect on their own experiences of conflict, both on a global scale and within their own lives.
The exhibition is designed to create an immersive yet accessible atmosphere within three distinct areas of the space. Featuring wall displays, ceiling installations, freestanding pieces, and a dedicated audio-visual area with headsets, the exhibition offers a multi-sensory experience. Digital and physical maps, telling stories behind the art will be available for curious visitors on-site.
Program:
February 20: Official opening | tunes by yi collective |
February 21: Panel discussion: Decolonial Practices in Art
February 22-23: Guided tours
February 23: Lecture: Decade of the Contemporary Ukrainian Art 2014-2024
February 23: Workshop: Net weaving
February 24: Workshop: Net weaving
February 25-26: Guided tours
February 27: Closing event & film screening
You can see the past and upcoming events on our instagram page