Vintage Hermes ‘Graffiti’ Birkin 35 Custom Painted Box Leather with Gold Hardware - 1998, B Square, Artwork 2021.

“Graffiti” is derived from an Italian term meaning ‘little scratches’ and this 35cm Birkin has encountered many ‘little scratches’ in its rich life which began 24 years ago in 1998. The latest in the artist’s ongoing series of “Graffiti Bags,” this example has layers built up and rubbed away, creating texture that plays off the metallic ground. Vibrantly colored tags pepper the bag’s surface along with small winks to the viewer written in various texts. A theme throughout this Birkin is ‘Love’ which appears in many languages all around the bag.