One of LA's favorite street artists Teacher got busted by the police, with bail set at $10,000.
Street art is arguably the 'coolest' art genre in the world right now, and a big reason is the risks involved with doing the art, especially with the police.
Teacher, one of LA's favorite and most prolific street artists, got busted the other night and booked by the LAPD. Bail was set at the high price of $10,000.
Teacher has earned a name as one of LA's top artists because he is an amazing artist in his own right and would put out fresh new pieces regularly, and he went big and hit hot spots. Teacher was getting up so much that someone asked on the blog recently if Teacher aimed to hit every billboard in LA. Another street artist had nicknamed Teacher 'The Sunset Killer'. But perhaps the biggest reason is the content and message behind Teacher's work. Teacher's focus on funding education, teaching children, and generally making the world a better place has made Teacher one of the favorite street artists in Los Angeles.
Even the police, while arresting Teacher, did so reluctantly. They said they were responding to a call from a Security Guard who was a former Sheriff, and so they had to book him. But, they saw the art 'crime' he was accused of doing, and they said that it was a good thing but this was their job.
Not only is Teacher an amazing artist, he is an amazing person. Sucks that Teacher got busted and our thoughts are with him. Hopefully this experience can somehow spin into a situation where Teacher is able to get a bigger platform and spread his art even farther.
Stay up~
what a shame. "FREE TEACH" shirts anyone? I will design if someone prints. All proceeds can go to helping him post bail. Any takers?
ReplyDeleteNooooooooooooo!........ Hope the story gets picked up by a national publication or show and Teacher gets help with this. We love you Teacher!!!!
ReplyDeleteseriously though, hit me up at mike@artbattlela.com if you are interested in helping out with the above ^ post.
ReplyDeletePut me down for a shirt.
ReplyDeleteStay up, Teach!
-Richard
Before you lived in LA there was this cat name AUGOR who hit more billboards than this guy will ever hit. And did shit on billboards that this guy will ever be able to do ... AUGOR is the billboard KING of LA
ReplyDeletethis is what happens when artists think they are invisible all the time
ReplyDeleteAUGOR's style and reach of spots is amazing, one of my fave's along with ADZE.
ReplyDeleteRegardless - get well soon card Teacher, just chalk it up as another experience in this rad life game. This too shall pass.
Free all the teachers!
ReplyDelete-AVISOne
damn. stay up teach. hope everything works out! much respect!
ReplyDeletepeople think graffiti is a game... there are hundreds of active graffers in southern cali that are down to "KILL SUNSET"..but they have been busted in the past. ..i bet ..every time teacher was on a billboard ,he was suprised how easy it was.. fuckin new booty..im glad he got busted...the feds follow my whole team..my crew recently got a gang injunction..
ReplyDeletethanks so much for all the love and support - specially to ^Mike, what a nice guy!. i was able to get a bail bonds guy to bail me out, but the trial is set for feb 16th 2012 and could get ugly and expensive and i could end up doing some time... if that happens then hopefully it will be enough to get some national attention and get my message out there. at that point i will definitely need financial help. for now, all you guys should stay away from sunset plaza and west hollywood - the deputies told me they are tougher there than any other area around here.
ReplyDeletebtw, i looked up AUGOR and this guy is amazing!!!
~teacher
^^you're right, i'm a 'fuckin new booty'... but please don't be glad that i got busted. i'm not putting my name up. i'm trying to make the world a better place. no matter how much you or any other graffer or street artist hates me i will never hope or be glad that any graffer or street artist gets busted. we are all in the same family and just like almost every family there will be lots of misunderstanding, fighting, and hating. please do hope and be glad when whoever is making the decision to make cuts in the education budget gets busted - those are the people that deserve to be busted. i hope the stupid feds who spend stupid money following you and your crew ease the fuck up - that's stupid that they try to be fucking with you guys when they should be spending that money on education. peace be with you and your crew.
ReplyDelete~teacher
^^ to teacher. Forget them. Some people just really cant fathom the revolution that youre creating. Ive been getting up since i was 9 years old, ive had my name changed and up and around,im 18 now. and ever since i saw your work, it changed the way ive done my art. Before it was just to get it up. Now its about spreading a message. I just like to say thank you. I hope you get the financial support you deserve. much love
ReplyDelete-The Stache
It's going around, I heard Common Cents was arrested as well.
ReplyDeleteI hope for the best teacher! The law is unfair, street art shouldn't be a crime...
ReplyDelete-AnguianoArt
This is ridiculous!! $10,000 bail means they are charging him with felony vandalism 594 pc. From what I've seen and read, Teacher is not your typical street artist or graffiti writer tagging with gang monikers. He is one of the truest artists there are these days because he is willing to risk his rights and use his art to send a message - teach each child and quit cutting the education budget. If anyone is the felon here it's the state of California for allowing the education budget to be diminished. Anyone else agree?
ReplyDeleteAn actual 4th grade Teacher
Teacher gets my vote for LA street artist of the year!
ReplyDeleteAUGOR may be the all time billboard KING of LA, but this year belongs to Teacher.
ReplyDeletegood toys get busted, it's their destiny.
ReplyDeleteIf the feds are following you as a gang then the odds are your not creating a change or even something to be remembered over time... odds are your just a gang involved in gang activity. Teach, Preach, Love, and Understand!
ReplyDelete