The brother of the graffiti artist Muelle is looking for the artist’s traces in Vigo

The success of the municipal program urban art Vigo, the city of colorswhich since 2015 has added almost 200 walls where local and international artists have left their works, can culminate in a look at the origins of a movement that began with the schematic, short-lived and anonymous intervention of graffiti artists.

Few have passed the filter of time and concept, and one of them was While (1965-1995). The Madrid player was hiding behind his signature Juan Carlos Arguello, who is considered the first Spanish graffiti writer. He came to participate in the Arco fair and although his main place of work was Madrid, he traveled to other parts of the country leaving his mark. Vigo was one of the cities he visited on several occasions. Urban art scholars have been following his trail for years and trying to protect what remains of his work. Fernando, brother of Muelle and guardian of his legacy, visited yesterday in Vigo the preserved graffiti of the legendary artist, of which there are apparently two. He did it accompanied by the artist i urban art history researcher Ash Santos, who long ago submitted a proposal to the City Council to preserve his paintings. “They told me that it is in the study phase and that there is interest in restoring it and evaluating it,” says the man from Vigo. As for the exact amount and location, both prefer not to give too much information so as not to be located.

Fernando Argüello is actively saving his brother’s signatures, and some of his works have reached auction houses. His steps are collected on an Instagram account. Dock followed a ethical manual choosing places where he will leave his signature, looking for spaces that have no cultural value so as not to damage them. Over time, it was his signature that gave added value to the walls. The Madrid City Council dedicated a street to him and restored part of his graffiti on Calle de la Montera.