Robbo Incorporated

Robbo incorporated was a graffiti mural created within the Regent’s Canal in Camden, London, England in 1985 by a then 15-year-old John Robertson. This was a full graffiti piece and was located directly under the police headquarters stationed in London. The only way you could access this work was by water. This work is widely regarded as the oldest graffiti in all of London. All other subsequent works of graffiti done by John Robertson were eventually removed, with the sole exception of this piece. This colored, detailed piece featured orange, red, and blue coloring with the world “think” below the main Robbo text, coupled with the John Robertson’s signature just to the left. It was later edited to have the text “Team Robbo” above it over a graffiti war that would ensure not long after this was created. Another graffiti artist known as Banksy would paint over a lot of his art, causing a graffiti war. This war would last for 20 years, only ending with King Robbo’s untimely death from an accidental fall downstairs at the age of 31. This piece is very culturally significant, due to the impact it left behind on London’s city culture. The design of the work, combined with the location of where it was, encouraged others to go out and create their own bombs, pieces, and murals inspired by Johnathan’s original work in 1985. During his feuds with Banksy, he left such an impact on the London community that groups of people would split up in teams, with King Robbo’s being the more popular one. This cultural significance of London Graffiti can be traced all the way back to his very first piece underground. A lot of Uk’s modern graffiti would not exist without this very first piece done by Johnathan Robertson. It still stands there today, allowing the world to enjoy one of the most iconic works of graffiti art to hit modern culture.