In contrary to any other forms of art, graffiti often goes against the law, and as such, is first and foremost about conveying a personal or collective message rather than revolving purely around art. What started as a functional underground passageway across a railroad track, which links North Carolina State University's Central and North campuses, ultimately evolved into a large-scale canvas, where graffiti artists alongside passersby can freely and openly leave their mark.
Spanning over 2,099 acres, North Carolina State University is by far the largest academic institution across the Carolinas, where more than 34,000 students study in one of its 12 colleges. Historically, most of the NCSU’s classroom and research facilities were built north of the city’s railway tracks, in the aptly named North Campus. As the university expanded southwards during the following decades, student dormitories and later also dining halls, administration buildings and sport venues popped up throughout the Central Campus.
Born out of a basic necessity to connect the two campuses, a series of three underground pedestrian passageways were constructed in 1939 underneath the railroad tracks. After almost 30 years where all 3 tunnels have been increasingly covered with graffiti tags, an unorthodox countermeasure was implemented in 1967, when any form of vandalism was strictly forbidden all over the campus with the exception of a single place, the westernmost passageway. Renamed as the Free Expression Tunnel, the underground walkway along with a nearby wall were designated as a public canvas, where practically any person can openly spray, paint or write his thoughts on its walls.
Since its first authorized work in 1968, a red and white painting in honor of US veterans, the tunnel has been constantly covered with an ever-changing mosaic of street art, ranging anywhere from a simple tag to vividly colorful murals. As you can imagine, also heated political statements made their way into the walls, some of which inhabit the grey zone between free-speech and what might be considered by some as incitement. In 2008, a controversial graffiti against the then president-elect, Barack Obama, sparked a university-wide outcry as well as a secret-service investigation, putting into a real test the place’s role as a platform for unrestrained political debate.
After becoming one of Raleigh’s most unusual landmarks, the Free Expression Tunnel underwent a thorough refurbishment work between 2005-2006, making the passageway accessible for disabled people as well, who can now also take part in the vibrant exchange of ideas at the tunnel’s graffitied walls.
The tunnel's recently constructed wheelchair ramp alongside an info plaque, erected as part of the NCSU's 125th anniversary
photography by: Omri Westmark
The Free Expression Tunnel's South Entrance
photography by: Omri Westmark
Besides the tunnel itself, a nearby wall is the only other place where graffiti is not restricted
photography by: Omri Westmark
The sheer contrast between the tunnel's graffitied walls and its intact brick façade
photography by: Omri Westmark
A sign indicating the boundary from where any form of painting is strictly forbidden
photography by: Omri Westmark
The mind-bogglingly incredible interior of the tunnel, completely covered by a hodgepodge of murals, tags and political slogans
photography by: Omri Westmark
Portraits of Pikachu and an anthropomorphic pickle stand out amid the cacophony
photography by: Omri Westmark
Super heroes also made their way into the colorful celebration
photography by: Omri Westmark
Countless personal expression of art coalesce into a breathtaking mosaic
photography by: Omri Westmark
A small void between the railway tracks floods the tunnel with a bit of sunlight
photography by: Omri Westmark
A peace symbol perching on a blue mushroom
photography by: Omri Westmark
As it turns out, the colorful walls also serve as a platform for explicitly political placards
photography by: Omri Westmark
The well-renowned figure of Shrek is difficult to ignore
photography by: Omri Westmark
As your eyes can see, not even a single square inch of the tunnel was left unpainted
photography by: Omri Westmark
The north entrance of the Free Expression Tunnel
photography by: Omri Westmark