Maeshowe's Runes - Viking Graffiti

When Maeshowe was first excavated, in 1861, the chamber's original entrance passage was inaccessible.

So, to allow access, the excavators drove a shaft down through the top of the mound. Once inside, however, they found proof that that they were not the first to have broken into the tomb. The walls of the Stone Age chamber were covered in with runic graffiti.

The 30 inscriptions found in Maeshowe, make it one of the largest, and most famous, collections of runes known in Europe.

According to Orkneyinga saga, over 800 years previously, in the darkness of an Orkney winter, a group of viking warriors had sought shelter from a terrible snowstorm.

Leading the men was Earl Harald, who, at Christmas, 1153, was making his way from Stromness to the parish of Firth.

Thanks to: Esmeralda; Brooklyn Street Art; @Louniki_; @radicalgraffiti; @regoef; @mensch_huis; trifluoracetic-acid; FICKxDINGERZ

Spinning: the laundry

TV and Movies

A few more from the UK

SNIK

The Rebel Bear (just one)

Osch (just one)

Just one in Vienna

Bambi (just one)

One from Hungary

One from Norway

One from Sweden

Slovenia (just one)

Thanks to: Esmeralda; Kellan and Maddie; Brooklyn Street Art; @Louniki_; @radicalgraffiti; @regoef; @mensch_huis; trifluoracetic-acid; FICKxDINGERZ

Spinning: Spartanburg Phish; Frost Dead; birds and traffic; Winterland Dead; Acoustic Junction filler

>NEW< DJLU (CO)

Colombia

Cartooneros (in London)

Lesivo

Stinkfish

In the UK

Oakland, CA

Los Angeles, CA

New York City

fnnch

Misstencil (just one)

Ongo

Sol back in SF!

Just hearing the sad news via Instagram, that artist and all-around lovable gruff, Klutch, has passed on to larger walls and bluer skies. 

10/08/61 to 06/08/23 03:47am. Rest in Power. It is with the greatest sadness, relief, and honor that I share with the world that our friend Klutch has passed. He joined the energy that surrounds us incredibly peacefully this morning. Thank you to every single person who shared any part of their spirit with him. Every single interaction you all had with him kept him going and filled with wonderment over how incredible his community is. With love and gratitude on behalf of Klutch.

Though he had dropped his stencil work years ago, his attitude, opinions, and love for creativity and positivity remained an inspiration here at Stencil Archive. His punk smartness and sick style didn't hurt either. 

Back in 2004, after Klutch's Vinyl Killers 2 weekend and show, the Stencil Archive got to interview him for the site. We just updated the older post of that interview with minor corrections of typos and grammar. Here is the link to the interview, which also has links to the Stencil Archive Vinyl Killers 1 and 2 archives.

Here are a few quotes from that interview that are still funny and 100% Klutch:

• Money can be a very empty reward when you aren’t doing what makes you happy.
• Roll that shit, light that shit, smoke that shit. And a good mix tape will put you in the right mood.
• I have mad love and respect for anyone who has been at it for a while and are still loving it and giving it their all. 
• Now I guess I am Portland’s Graffiti Geezer, minus the silver circle.

Klutch's art, energy, and smile will be missed. We have been blessed to know him, laugh with him, and enjoy his creativity. Having had many recent health issues, his death wasn't too surprising, but it is still sad to know that there will be no more art from his mind and hands.