Beijing gets new colors

They are young, energetic and creative, and even a bit wild. Sharing the same passion, the group of Beijing-based graffiti artists created a team known as ABS, which stands for active, brilliant and significant.

The four young men - Ye Shu, 29, Chen Chuang, 27, Xu Yan, 25, and Wang Weixuan, 26 - opened a shop selling graffiti-related products in the capital last year, which was the first of its kind in China.

"We love the art of graffiti and formed our team in 2008. Our initial goal was simple: to show this creative art form to people and have fun," said Ye, who has been a graffiti artist for nine years.

Ye said that their objectives were upgraded after they developed a deeper understanding of their art.

"We want the public to understand the underlying significance of this art, and so we began to create themed paintings to convey a kind of 'positive energy' to the public, so that they can understand and accept this art," he said.

In 2011, the ABS team won the first prize at the Wall Lords competition, and the second prize at last year's event. The competition is Asia's only graffiti event.

Ye hopes that more young people join the graffiti movement and incorporate more Chinese elements in the art form, which originated in the United States.

weixiaohao@chinadaily.com.cn