Artwork Description
Respect the Land Silver Silkscreen by Gats- Graffiti Against The System Hand-Pulled 4-Color Screen Print on Gold Foil Paper Limited Edition Pop Street Art Artwork.
2022 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 100 Artwork Size 24x18
Respect the Land Silver Silkscreen by GATS – A Mystical Symbol of Continuity in Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork
Respect the Land Silver Silkscreen is a 4-color hand-pulled screen print on radiant gold foil paper, created in 2022 by the anonymous street artist known as GATS, which stands for Graffiti Against The System. This 24x18 inch signed and numbered edition of 100 captures the essence of GATS’ bold iconography and commitment to resistance-based visual storytelling. The work presents a stone temple structure with three arched windows, each containing abstracted eyes, radiant lines, and the central masked figure that is signature to GATS’ visual identity. Rooted in the themes of ancestry, surveillance, spiritual continuity, and resistance to oppression, this piece reflects the artist’s long-standing engagement with sacred motifs and urban decay. The intricate detailing etched into the structure evokes the textures of carved monuments, layered with symbols that challenge the boundaries of mythology, mysticism, and social critique.
GATS and the Sacred Mask as a Voice of Resistance
GATS, who remains anonymous and active globally, has become an icon in contemporary graffiti art through their use of a unique, stylized mask that appears across alley walls, train cars, and now, fine-art screen prints. In Respect the Land Silver Silkscreen, the central figure wears the mask that viewers associate with silent wisdom, watching over the timeline etched below: Past, Present, Future. This triptych structure functions not just as an aesthetic decision but as a philosophical stance. It invites the viewer to consider the interconnectedness of time and the duty to honor the land not just for its utility but for its sacred and historical value. GATS uses the streets as their original gallery, but works like this print channel the same ethos into limited edition form, preserving the visual impact while inviting deeper reflection. The eyes to either side of the mask do not passively observe—they guard, they record, they witness. They represent a challenge to the colonial erasure of history and displacement of indigenous presence.
Symbolism, Gold Foil, and Printmaking Craft
The use of gold foil paper elevates the mystical aura of the work, functioning both as a nod to sacred objects and as a material choice that reflects light and meaning. Gold, traditionally used in religious iconography, here becomes a shimmering backdrop to themes of ancient guardianship and future consciousness. The four-color screen printing process brings layered depth, particularly in the texture of the stone facade and the intricate detailing of the eyes and facial features. GATS resists digital reproduction aesthetics by grounding the work in physical craft. Every print contains evidence of hand-pulled imperfection, aligning with the unpredictability and raw energy of graffiti. The cryptic symbols surrounding the structure further emphasize the esoteric nature of the image, inviting a deeper reading of lost languages and obscured histories. The balance of graphic symmetry and weathered texture demonstrates mastery in composition and message alike.
Respect the Land as a Statement in Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork
This artwork holds weight within the canon of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork by refusing to separate spiritual vision from political urgency. Respect the Land is not just a call to environmental awareness—it is a reminder of what has been taken and forgotten. Through this silkscreen edition, GATS continues the mission of using masked figures and eyes as symbols of awakening and accountability. The print does not isolate past injustices but ties them to present awareness and future consequences. GATS has created a timeless piece that speaks from the walls of ancient temples and city blocks alike. With its limited release and hand-crafted production, it becomes both collectible and instructive—a sacred artifact that resists forgetting, illuminating the hidden forces that govern memory, culture, and justice.
