INTRODUCING MR GRAFF FOR UPFEST
To celebrate their 45th anniversary Mr Men and Little Miss are getting a new addition in the form of graffiti artist Mr Graff. The new character, designed by street artist Cheo, is the result of a joint collaboration between Mr Men Little Miss and Europe’s largest live street and urban art festival Upfest, which this year will be taking place between 23rd and 25th July in Bristol.
Mr. Graff can be seen sprayed alongside other beloved Mr Men and Little Miss characters, with Cheo’s signature ‘Bee’ keeping an eye on proceedings, as part of a giant mural during the three day festival.
Upfest founder and gallery owner Stephen Hayles explains that; “We are very honoured to be collaborating with MMLM and Cheo to celebrate the 45th anniversary with a Mr Graff character for Upfest 2016, it really shows how the festival and the different art disciplines are evolving.”
Graffiti artist Cheo expressed his joy at being asked to create the character; “It’s a privilege to have been asked by Upfest and MMLM to create Bristol’s very own Mr Graff. As a young kid, I remember seeing the name Roger Hargreaves, watching the Mr Men and Little Miss cartoons and reading the books along with every child that grew up in the 70s. As well as celebrating the 45th anniversary, it’s also a great accomplishment for the street art and graffiti scene to work with MMLM in doing something so momentous.”
Mr Men first entered popular culture in 1971, with Little Miss joining the ranks ten years later, today a MMLM book is sold every 2.5 seconds worldwide, with lifetime sales of 250 million.
Upfest first began in 2008, with just 50 artists and 500 visitors, since those humble beginnings, the festival now boasts 300 artists and an expected turn out of around 30,000 visitors. For those who can’t wait until the event to get their hands on their very own Mr Graff, a limited edition of the new addition will be available as a reward on Upfest’s crowd funding campaign through until the 17th May 2016.
Words: Jessica Guy
