South American Football Graffiti captured by Gabriel Uchida : Photography : Soccer Bible

The passion that washes the streets when it comes to football is like nothing else in South America. Capturing such vibrant spirit, photographer Gabriel Uchida documents the Graffiti that graces hallowed turf.

Gabriel Uchida has a unique knack for being able to bottle the spirit of football fandom. The beauty of this collection, much like his Cuban Football series, is that it's the silence that echoes. Whether a crowded environment or empty streets, there is plenty of visual noise and that is presented once more as teams of respective clubs mark their territory with graffiti emphasising the passion they have for their team.



In providing a narrative for his vision, Gabriel explains; The main point to understand the football culture in Argentina is the connections between clubs and neighborhoods. For them both things are almost the same, so you鈥檙e proud of your area and you love the local team at the same intensity. That鈥檚 why they are almost synonymous. The club Ferro Carril Oeste belongs to the area of Caballito and their ultras group (in Argentina they are known as 鈥渂arra brava鈥�) is called 鈥淟a Banda 100% Caballito鈥�. Notice that they use the name of their neighborhood rather than the club because it鈥檚 basically the same meaning. And according to their football culture, spreading graffitis on their areas is also a way to demonstrate not only their proud of it but also their power and passion. So considering the rivalry of football, it鈥檚 also important to erase your enemy鈥檚 graffiti or to 鈥渄estroy鈥� it by introducing bad words.



This 鈥渂attle鈥� is quite easy to see at Avellaneda because there are two big clubs there, Racing and Independiente and their stadiums are too close to each other, a distance of less then 300 meters. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 almost impossible to find a big graffiti in the area because it will probably be destroyed by rival fans in the same day. Another interesting fact about Argentinian football graffiti is that they have and unique old school style and because it鈥檚 part of the football culture, the paintings will be probably be made by normal fans, not street artists.

An incredible glimpse onto the football loving streets of Argentina, you can see more of his Gabriel's work here.