Kelly Towles’ art embraces differences, fights intolerance

Full Frame

In this week’s Close-Up, Full Frame visits the studio of Kelly Towles. In the 1990’s, Towles began his street art career as an outlet for his troubled high school life. He started with traditional graffiti, but then started to incorporate characters into his artwork, developing his own, unique style.

Kelly Towles' art embraces differences, fights intolerance

Full Frame visits the studio of Kelly Towles. In the 1990’s, Towles began his street art career as an outlet for his troubled high school life. He started with traditional graffiti, but then started to incorporate characters, developing his own, unique style.

Towles’ characters are usually inspired by real life incidents, often with people that can only be described as bullies.  He’s been able to channel these experiences and characters into his work for the Human Rights Campaign’s Anti-Bullying Initiative.

“The character I created for the human rights campaign is basically a heart with arms and boxing gloves,” Towles said. “This is a reoccurring character that I have. Basically, your heart gets beat up all the time but you gotta still keep fighting.”

Follow Kelly Towles on Twitter: @kellytowles

Follow Kelly Towles on Instagram: @kellytowles