It would be easy to assume that all crime in Providence is somehow mafia related. According to the national news, crime in Providence always involves either a baseball bat, a gambling ticket, or, in the case of our former mayor Buddy Cianci’s assault conviction, “an ashtray, lit cigarette, and [a] fireplace log."
However, in reality, the most common tool of criminality is probably a spray can. Providence has a thriving graffiti scene, and a rich history to back it up. The graffiti scene in Providence exploded in the early 1980s, when famed New York graffiti writer SEEN arrived in Providence, fleeing beef back home. In the late 1980s and early '90s, Providence was home to then-unknown street artist Shephard Fairey (OBEY), who most famously designed the 2008 “HOPE” campaign poster for President Barack Obama. Providence has some amazing graffiti spots that showcase both old and new-school writers—if you know where to look. Due to the illegal nature of graffiti, the best graffiti spots are hidden, both from the cops and the public. So, I asked local graffiti writer Sean Green (not his real name) to give me a tour of the best secret spots in the city.
UNDERNEATH THE FOX POINT HIGHWAY
How to get there: Walk south on Gano St. At the freeway entrance to 195, take a left across the street. Hop over the median, walk down a hill, and take a right underneath the bridge—then check out 30 years of Providence history.
What You’ll See:
Underneath the Fox Point Highway is one of the best spots to check out old school Providence graffiti. Unlike at some other spots, Providence writers have left intact pieces dating back to the 1980s, like these pieces by a Rhode Island School of Design student (which I like to call “the most uncomfortable cuddle ever” and “are you my mushroom daddy?”, respectively) (Below).
See pieces by GIER (top, pronounced Jai-Er) and HYZE (bottom, pronounced Hi-Ze), two of the top young writers in Providence
THE GANO ST. BRIDGE
How to get there: Walk to the Gano St. Market, at the corner of Gano and Power st. Follow Power St. into the park, until you hit a dirt path (marked on Google Maps as the “Old Bridge Path”). Once you reach the train tracks, follow the path on the right, which will take you underneath the bridge.
What you’ll see:
"You guys wanna go see a dead body?"
But then...
The Gano St. Bridge is one of the most popular graffiti spots in Providence, and as a result has been less well preserved. The spot has been home to dozens of graffiti “wars” over the years, where writers will cover up each other’s tags with their own, either out of spite or a desire for recognition. Though the Gano St. Bridge has less historical graffiti, it showcases some currently prominent Providence writers, like DIER (on the bridge, pronounced Die-Er) and GWIZ (on the wall below, pronounced Gee-Wiz).
THE RISD TUNNEL
How to get there: At the corner of Amy St. and Gano St., head east into the woods and down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, you’ll see the tunnel.
What you’ll see:
The East Side Railroad Tunnel (more commonly known as the RISD Tunnel, due to the fact that it connects Gano St. to the Rhode Island School of Design) was once a hotspot for both parties and graffiti. Legend has it that the tunnel was welded shut in 1993, after the police broke up a RISD party in the tunnel, during which they claimed to have discovered “satanic rituals” (it’s unclear whether or not what they actually saw was, in fact, just “art school”). Regardless, some of the best graffiti in Providence is supposedly in the tunnel—if you’re willing to wade through several feet of water and battle rats the size of small children. I wasn’t. But the outside of the tunnel still showcases a mix of memorable old and new graffiti. Above, pieces by HORSE and HIV.
Pieces by RESTO (bottom left) and TERNS (bottom right, pronounced “turns”).
“The Faces", an old RISD piece, is estimated at over 20 years old.
As existential philosopher and author of Eat, Pray, Love Elizabeth Gilbertonce wrote, “eventually, everything goes away.” Such is true for graffiti. Unlike art preserved in a gallery, the impermanence of the pieces that are up today is almost guaranteed. With that in mind, spend an afternoon checking out the best graffiti that Providence currently has to offer. Just don’t tell anyone I told you about it.