Montana LOOKBOOK #08 / 2023

→ With a tendence to
limited color palettes,
GOSPEL’s imagery is
unlimited.
Pure forms, solid colors, and a noticeable
influence of his native Greek culture
The Greek artist GOSPEL stirs up our thoughts as
his whole graffiti identity has been built up on a
word that itself conjures up a maze of possible
interpretations. To add to the mystery of the use
of the word GOSPEL as a tag, his artwork also lights our
imaginations with the skilled delivery of pure forms,
solid colors, and a noticeable influence of his native
Greek culture regarding his color palette and pictorial
symbolism.
Any color as long as it's white, black, red,
or blue
Born in Karditsa in 1990, GOSPEL is a multidisciplinary
artist which particular strengths in graffiti, murals, and
illustration. Residing in Athens, it is not just there that
you can see his unforgettable works, however, it is
undeniable the influence and presence Athens has
within it. GOSPEL's designs capture a healthy blend of
Greek culture and graffiti culture references which find
themselves captured in his unique use of solid color
layers. Mostly in variations of white, black, red, and
blue. All of these are thrown down with his favorite
Montana GOLD and BLACK cans.
A groove that he has taken ownership
of with reoccurring practices
like letters without outlines, and
steering away from fades, and all
done with the perfection of the
spray can.
The graffiti scene in Athens, although receiving
its deserved shine a little late in its development by
the greater graffiti audience, offers many strong
references for GOSPEL to play on. Bombed trains inside
and out, masked identities, hooded writers in classic
graffiti uniforms, Greek gods, and mythology. These
references all find their way into his various interpretations.
Adding to the mix the full array of graffiti elements
such as informed letter structure, well-executed
hand styles, arrows, and opaque fill-ins, GOSPEL has
found a niche that is truly his own. A groove that he has
taken ownership of with reoccurring practices like
letters without outlines, and steering away from fades,
and all done with the perfection of the spray can.
Through our recent collaboration with GOSPEL
in the creation of his Montana Cotton Bag designs, we
thought it an appropriate time to ask those unanswered
questions about who GOSPEL is and what GOSPEL
stands for.
An interview with GOSPEL
Montana Cans
The word GOSPEL is often connected with the practice
of singing songs of religious praise. And in a lot of
cases in modern-day Christianity. But what does this
word mean to you and how did you take ownership of it
for the purpose of graffiti?
GOSPEL
Well. This is a question I have been asked by many
people I have met so far during my artistic journey. The
answer may seem a little funny or childish to you. It
comes from my favorite hip-hop song "Ghetto Gospel".
Tupac was and still is my favorite rapper. This track
came out around the time I was taking my first steps
Artist in focus/Interview Gospel
35