Remember, find video editions of this season’s episodes on YouTube and Spotify. This particular episode is worth a look.

Ben Tour is a visual artist based on the Sunshine Coast. His giant, graffiti-style murals can be found in various spaces on the Coast.

I invited him to the graffiti-filled wall at the Gibsons Curling Club for a conversation about graffiti, art, and community. Recorded while literally painting over a wall, the episode explores the culture and controversy of graffiti, the evolution of Ben’s artistic journey, and the role that public art, condoned or not, can play in shaping local identity.

We go over:

• Ben’s background: Growing up in Toronto, discovering graffiti, and moving to the Sunshine Coast.

• The difference between legal walls, productions, and “bombing” in graffiti culture.

• The love-hate relationship communities have with graffiti and how it shapes public spaces.

• Stories from Ben’s early days as a graffiti artist, including his first tag and the rush of painting at night.

• The impact of environment and community on Ben’s art, and how nature has influenced his recent work.

• The importance of self-directed art projects and balancing client work with personal expression..

• The ephemeral nature of graffiti, respect among artists, and the unspoken rules of the scene.

• How graffiti and skateboarding serve as gateways to the arts for young people.

• Reflections on getting in trouble, learning from mistakes, and the enduring desire to create.

Connect with your community:

• See more of Ben’s work and commission him for your wall on Instagram

• Secret Sunshine Sponsor Nico Coastal Homes is a top realtor on the Coast and one you’ll love working with when buying or selling a home. Find her at nicolearnett.ca

• Both Ben and Nico have hosted art openings at The Kube. And Nico’s project was the focus for Secret Sunshine’s very first episode. Go learn more about Nico’s artsy side by listening her episode “Nico’s Weird Little Art Show”. Find it on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or wherever you get your pods.

Thanks for listening! The podcast is produced by Dominic Girard at Handover Media. The show’s original theme is composed and performed by Max Henry. This episode features a custom show logo courtesy of Ben Tour.

Special thanks to the Gibsons Curling Club (of which I am a Board member). 

Help me grow the show! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe (follow), rate, and share the podcast with someone you think would enjoy it.

Got feedback or want to suggest a guest? Reach out by finding me at secretsunshine.ca or secretsunshine@handovermedia.fm