Bending the structural rules
Graffiti artist balances street writing with traditional calligraphy in his newly released Chinese typeface, in which he sees a future in cultural collaborations, Li Yingxue reports.
By Li Yingxue | China Daily | Updated: 2026-07-23 07:44
Between thick and thin
The origins of ABS Street Ink can be found not only on city walls but also at the calligraphy desk.
Xu has long been fascinated by Gothic calligraphy, a Western lettering tradition known for angular structures, dense compositions and decorative forms. Written with broad-edged pens, Gothic script creates dramatic contrasts between thick and thin strokes.
Graffiti tools, including broad markers and wide brushes, share similar qualities. Their flat edges allow artists to vary stroke width through changes in angle and direction.
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