Groningen, early years of wallwriting 1978—1992

Groningen has a rich history in graffiti and street art. This website is about the period between 1978 and 1992, the pioneering years of graffiti in Groningen. In the first years from 1978 onwards, writings by punks, and a little later also by football supporters, appear on the walls of Groningen. The most fanatical among them is Pinox’82, he emerged around 1982. Following his example, many others started writing the year after their name. In 1983, the Groninger Museum started paying attention to graffiti as an art form. The then director Frans Haks brought works by New York writers such as Blade, Quik, Dondi, Zephyr and Futura 2000 to Groningen.

The microhistories on this website are small pieces of the past. The difference between a microhistory and a ‘normal’ history is the size of the research. A normal history can cover large periods or subjects. A microhistory often focuses on a very specific subject. This is relevant because in history you often only read about the big stories and lines. The small stories are often forgotten. Microhistories provide more insight and thus create a better picture.

About 15 participants mapped out a piece of 'Groningen graffiti history', which yielded about 30 stories. All this in the context of a collaboration between Stichting Kladmuur and the Groninger Archieven during the National History Month, October 2024.