2306_A5quer_SMASH_Booklet_single

All artworks by SMASH137 | Photography by .... | Text by Montana Cans

SMASH137 aka Adrian Falkner
– A language of his own
SMASH137 aka Adrian Falkner has walked a
path in graffiti that nobody has walked quite like
he has. Born in 1979, the Swiss contemporary artist
and graffiti writer has many correlations with
the story of many traditional graffiti artists. A path
that often documents the discovery of spray paint
with the hand-in-hand development of personal
style at a similar point in life. For Falkner, it was at
the age of 11 in 1990 in his hometown Basel that
he connected these two dots and landed at a third
point we know as graffiti writing. He described in
his own words that he used letters as a scaffold
for a long time which eventually made way to abstract
painting. As early as 1997, seven years after
his graffiti practice had started, he was already
recognized as a talented artist by the Museum of
Fine Arts in Basel resulting in his first solo exhibition,
A walk on the wild side.
The significance of his graffiti history is unmistakable
in the artist‘s later works, which exude
an echo of the streets, even when confined within
a gallery. However, SMASH137‘s ability to shift seamlessly
from wall to canvas while maintaining his
distinctive style is a testament to his artistic versatility
and evolution. One of SMASH137‘s earlier and
very popular projects, „Smash Trash,“ beautifully
exemplifies this evolution. For 365 days, he breathed
life into daily black and white sketches, each
piece showcasing his innovative approach to letter
work. These creations, seemingly simple at first
glance, revealed their complexity through fluid lines
and intricate details, testifying to SMASH137‘s deft
ability to weave together the raw energy of graffiti
styles with timeless aesthetics.

This booklet brings you into contact with
SMASH137‘s recent explorations, presenting
a selection of pencil sketches on paper. While
they echo the spirit of the „Smash Trash“ project,
these new creations offer a closer look at the
ongoing evolution of the artist‘s unique style.
Immerse yourself in these sketches, appreciate
their intricate details, and revel in the bold simplicity
of SMASH137‘s artistry. This booklet also
presents SMASH137‘s recent Pieces, painted on
the walls of Napoli, Italy. These pieces represent
his quest to find the perfect letters fitting the form
of a spray can, leading to the creation of the 25th
Montana BLACK Artist Edition by SMASH137.
Enjoy this intimate journey through the pages, a
journey that illustrates the fusion of raw urban expression
and the refined beauty of reduction.
SMASH137‘s oneline style – a seemingly infinite,
uninterrupted, free-flowing stroke – forces the
viewer to confront and engage with the piece. The
rhythm and the motion embedded within these
lines are simultaneously wild and harmonious,
reflecting the beautiful paradox that is graffiti art.
The strength of his artwork lies in its simplicity:
clean outlines that boldly stand in stark contrast
to the raw surfaces they adorn. This juxtaposition
between highly aesthetic lines and unrefined
backdrops communicates a powerful message
of reduction, an exploration into the beauty of
minimalism. Echoing Zen principles, SMASH137’s
work exemplifies the profound strength and
power inherent in simplicity, inviting the viewer to
appreciate the purity of form and the eloquence
of understatement.

WWW.MONTANA-CANS.COM/BLACK-ARTIST-EDITION-25

Artworks © 2023 by Adrian Falkner (SMASH137).
All rights reserved. No part of the artwork presented in this booklet
may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by
any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic
or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the
artist. For permission requests, please contact the artist.
Published by MONTANA-CANS
Häusserstr. 36, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany
www.montana-cans.com
Carbon neutral printed in Germany, Offset paper 150g/gsm