WALKING THE LINE: A GRAFFITI MEMOIR - JIMMY C
OUT NOW
ISBN: 9780646890128 252pp 234x153mm and published by JimmyC.
'A new book recounting my involvement in the graffiti scene in Adelaide and Australia, the risks and adventures that ensued, and my gradual steps towards becoming a full time artist.' Jimmy C
James Cochran, better known as Jimmy C, is an aerosol artist who played a key role in the development of the underground graffiti movement in Australia during the early 1990s. His work is now recognised around the world.
Walking the Line chronicles his beginnings as an illegal street artist in the late 1980s and early 90s in Adelaide, Australia.
He reflects on how he became obsessed with the underground subculture following the death of his mother in a car accident. Unable to connect with his distant, grieving father, he finds solace and camaraderie in the illicit act of painting in the night.
As his skills develop, his home life crumbles, and the young artist tries to balance his aerosol ambitions with his desire to reconcile with his father.
Walking the Line is an honest and compelling memoir, a moving insight into the mind of a young artist driven to succeed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James Cochran, aka Jimmy C played a key role in the development of the underground graffiti movement in Australia during the early 1990's. After working on numerous mural commissions and community arts projects, he went on to complete a Masters Degree in Visual Arts at the University of South Australia with an interest in urban realist and figurative oil painting. His two interests in graffiti and oil painting converged, leading to the development of his signature aerosol pointillist style; portraits and urban landscapes painted from dripping dots and dashes of spray paint. He now lives in London and his canvases and walls can be viewed in cities across the world.
Just finished your book. It worked on every level, the pace of it and the way it was written was perfect, no gusto, no hype, just so god damn authentically written, so truthful and honest, just your story told, plain and simple through your eyes. I can not put into words how well this story came across to me, I was with you the whole way experiencing it with you - - - T. Turner.
I read the book twice straight. I think it is a must read for young teens looking for direction in life - - - P. Thompson.
I read your book over the last 4 days. It was captivating. The writing style, the adventures, the familiarity, your story, picturing events in my mind, distant acquaintances, but most of all was your story, told so well, of youth, sorrow, rebellion, adrenaline, creativity, learning and triumph. Incredible work putting it all together so well. - - - Winston.
Opened up to the introduction last night and just finished the acknowledgements tonight. Finished in two sessions.
Great read James. I could hear the voices of a couple of those mentioned as I read their dialogue and the sounds and smells mentioned took me back. - - - Conan Berry.
What a great read your book has been. Three quarters the way through and can’t put it down. Loving it. - - - Dash.
Your book was fantastic.... I could relate to that book so much, I felt like I was walking that line with you. The sounds, the smell, the reminder of my childhood. Written so well. - - - Tim.
Just read your book last night and couldn’t put it down. ... I relate so much to your story and finding and following your path. - - - Heath.
JimmyC’s murals are the best of the best in London’s outdoor gallery. With this book, ‘Walking the Line. A Graffiti Memoir’, he’s sharing again, and his writing is as profound as his art. The book is a memoir of experiences: risk-taking, friendships, walking the line, surviving, feeling alive. You won’t gaze out of a train window passing graffiti by the tracks with the same eyes again ! I was especially impressed with the book's young voice, capturing the adventure, the camaraderie, the isolation juxtaposed with people who were ‘there’, how peer pressure played out. Enjoy the read ! It’s a page turner but pause at the oil painting midway where a sixteen-year-old Jimmy has captured himself as a solitary figure sitting in a train carriage, head in hands with light coming through the door. A picture paints a thousand words. - - - Jackie Clare, June 2024, Co-President - Institute of Tourist Guiding
