The first ever street art and graffiti festival in Đà Nẵng, Vietnam, the NAM JAM is a celebration of creativity and community. The event, organized by local gallery and art collective NOT POP, transformed the village of Ngu Hanh Son in Đà Nẵng City early this year in spectacular style. In March 2023, the city hosted hot local and international street art talents with a variety of events, including live paintings, a skate jam, a gallery show and a well timed coincidental hip hop dance jam as part of the RF JAM a.k.a. RADIKAL FORZE JAM.
Me and my partner came across the Ngu Hanh Son neighborhood after noticing Son Nguyen’s stunning mural of two locals. To our left as we drove down the beach road, the well placed mural caught our eye from a distance. We had to investigate. Slowly we realized, piece by piece, throwup by throwup, here was a maze of stunning artworks all part of a larger project. Mesmerized by the stunning display of colours and styles, we continued to ride around the block in search for more. We stopped at a wall where the talented POTI was painting his stunning “Angel In a New Dress” Mural. The vibrant overlap of pinks and blues were coming together beautifully and getting us excited for the final piece. He pointed us towards the Not Pop Gallery around the corner, where we caught KNEE JERK painting and learned all about his journey with Not Pop and the Nam Jam 2023. It was great to connect with an OG street artist, especially from the UK. We enjoyed exploring the fresh paint and I had a great time skating around Not Pop’s self built skate park. Big up KNEE JERK for letting rip on his deck!
A Vibrant Display of Creativity
Fuelled by its very own Nam Jam Beers from Deme Brewing, the large walls of the Ngu Hanh Son block transformed into its very own street art gallery on March 16th in 2023. From incredible wildstyle pieces, funky throw ups and cool characters, to huge intricate murals, everyone came together to put on a local display of street culture. The artists used a variety of techniques and styles to create their pieces, from traditional graffiti to the more abstract and experimental work. The festival was, and will once again, be a feast for the eyes. A real unique opportunity to see street art in action.
A Celebration of Community
The NAM JAM is more than just a festival of art. It is also a celebration of a vibrant and loving art community. The festival brings together people from all walks of life to enjoy the beauty of street art culture and to learn about the power of creativity. With a skate jam, craft market, live music from 1ESCV? and live painting, Nam Jam 2023 truly brought hip hop and street culture to Da Nang with incredible steez. KNEE JERK and his art gallery Not Pop, is dedicated to promoting street art and graffiti in Da Nang. Not Pop believes that street art is a powerful tool for transforming communities and creating a more vibrant and inclusive city.
I can’t thank KNEE JERK enough for taking the time out of his busy day to show us around the gallery and chat to us about his journey. As a young aspiring creative, it was quite a priceless experience for me to chat to a great artist and curator who is bringing a variety of street artists and styles together like this. We left with a buzz, especially after not seeing much street art for a few days, and me not having skated for over 4 months. I’m excited to see what’s in store next year. Big up KNEE JERK for his hospitality! The festival is a great opportunity for Not Pop to continue its work, host some serious talent in the street art and graffiti scene, and make a positive impact on the city of Da Nang and Vietnam. – Photos, Video and Text by CALLUM JONES
BRING ON NAM JAM 2024!!
Don’t miss your chance to experience Nam Jam next year! For Artists, direct message @Nam_Jam_Festival on Instagram to request a spot for your creative expression, the next year’s event will be from March 4th till 10th. Below are the artworks from the 2023 event with contact info to the creators.
NAM JAM 2023 – Artists
~1escV? – Aerga – Anh Nong Dan – Born – Daos – Endo – Hiep – Hoang Nam – Jayne – Ki Bun – Knee Jerk – Kusan Watah – Luỗng Nguyễn – Maajed Ahmed – Nads – Pheel One – Poti – Rowa – Skeotch – Son Nguyen – Tâyone – Thạch Sơn Tùng – Ties – Vũ Công Thành – Xers – Xorse – Zunk One
NAM JAM 2023 – Sponsors
Diton King – Dunkare Magazine – Go Surfing Da Nang – Deme Brewery – Cổ Động – Not Pop Gallery
Video – Artworks Tour
HOANG NAM
What3words: ///cleans.overture.mega
GPS Location: 16.0149742, 108.2573291
Artist: HOANG NAM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoangnamm_
“Maneki-neko” – “Lucky cat” by AERGA
What3words: ///sock.football.celebrate
GPS Location: 16.0149684, 108.2570109
Artist: AERGA
Website: https://aergacrafts.myportfolio.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AergaTattoo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aergaarts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Aergatattoo
SON NGUYEN
What3words: ///spill.baguette.custom
GPS Location: 16.013705, 108.259414
Artist: SON NGUYEN
Website: https://www.tattoostgab.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tattoostgab
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/son_nguyeen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonmrl
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tattoostgab
“Angel in a new dress” by POTI
What3words: ///cultivation.couple.covenants
GPS Location: 16.014405, 108.257337
Artist: POTI
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Potiworld
Big Cartel: https://poti.bigcartel.com
KUSAN WATAH
What3words: ///conforms.shark.primed
GPS Location: 16.014540, 108.257197
Artist: KUSAN WATAH
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kusan.watah
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watahkustom
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.de/kusanwatah
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kwatah
XERS, JANE & unknown
What3words: ///eyelashes.brightens.fade
GPS Location: 16.014594,108.257449
Artist: XERS – XERSONER – XERS ONE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xersone
Artist: JAYNE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayne.graffiti
DAOS
What3words: ///clarifies.urban.shears
GPS Location: 16.0149797, 108.2569341
Artist: DAOS – THE HUMANIMAL
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daos501
TÂY ONE
What3words: ///suiting.rocker.before
GPS Location: 16.010983,108.261630
Artist: TÂY ONE – TÂYONE – BAMBOO
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taayone
MAAJED AHMED
What3words: ///suiting.rocker.before
GPS Location: 16.010983,108.261630
Artist: MAAJED AHMED
Website: https://www.maajedahmed.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjod.graffiti
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maajedahmed
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaajedAhmaed
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaajedAhmed
NADS
Artist: NADS
Website: https://ggraffkings77.wixsite.com/website
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nadscalligraffiti
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nads.tsc
Behance: https://www.behance.net/ggraffking8da8
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nads.tsc.calligraffiti
Graffiti Wall
What3words: ///suiting.rocker.before
GPS Location: 16.010983,108.261630
What3words: ///angel.brings.sweetener
GPS Location: 16.0110100, 108.2614900
ZUNK ONE
What3words: ///crunch.showcases.needed
GPS Location: 16.014702,108.257590
Artist: ZUNK ONE – ZUNK – CREATIVE HUSTLER
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zunkone
SON NGUYEN
What3words: ///gender.scorch.soonest
GPS Location: 16.0104170, 108.2617700
Artist: SON NGUYEN – (contact details already mentioned above)
KI BUN
Artist: PINKY BOON – KI BUN
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinky.boon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiwuadi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydaytoro
~1escV? – UN ESCAGOT VIDE ?
What3words: ///speak.passively.pleaser
GPS Location: 16.0102820, 108.2619950
Artist: ~1escV? – un escargot vide ?
Website: http://www.unescargotvide.eu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1escv
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1escv
Tumblr: https://unescargotvide-blog.tumblr.com
Bandcamp: https://1escv.bandcamp.com
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/unescargotvide
OpenSea: https://opensea.io/1escv
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/sautelcago
~1escV? & SON NGUYEN
Artist: ~1escV? – (contact details already mentioned above)
Artist: SON NGUYEN – (contact details already mentioned above)
~1escV?
What3words: ///chest.refers.flamenco
GPS Location: 16.0101834, 108.2613591
Artist: ~1escV? – (contact details already mentioned above)
ENDO
What3words: ///cleans.overture.mega
GPS Location: 16.0149742, 108.2573291
Artist: ENDO – 514 415
Website: http://www.514415.rs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5I4.4I5
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/514.415
Side of NOT POP – Collaboration Graffiti Wall
What3words: ///deflation.cube.kicks
GPS Location: 16.0149857, 108.2570868
Artists: ~1escV?, ENDO, DAOS, HOANG NAM, JAYNE, KUSAN WATAH, NADS, SON NGUYEN, TÂYONE, ZUNK ONE – (contact details already mentioned above)
Artist: ANH NONG DAN
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anhnongdann
Artist: BORN – BORN ONE – B-BORN – B-BOY BORN
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornoner
Artist: HIEP
Artist: LUONG NGUYEN
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luoongx_102
Artist: PHEEL ONE
Website: https://www.pheelone.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pheel_one
VK: Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kmwtrr
Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/kmwtrr
Artist: SKEOTCH – SKOTCH
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mr.Sketch21
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skeotch
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skotch_style
Artist: THACH SON TUNG
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidznastyhl
Artist: TIES
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiessgc
Artist: XORSE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seuxor75020
Artist: VU CONG THANH
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coth.94
INFOTHEK
Event: NAM JAM – NAM MURAL FESTIVAL 2023
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089869312730
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Nam_Jam_Festival
Curator: KNEE JERK
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Knee_jerk
Art Space: NOT POP
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NotPopStudio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/not___pop
Hip Hop Event: RADIKAL FORZE JAM – RF JAM
Website: https://radikalforzejam.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RadikalForze
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radikalforzejam
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RPPRods
Photographer & Author: CALLUM JONES
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callumswjones
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suckyamummxej
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