Isaiah Sanchez, a 23-year-old graffiti artist, is leaving his mark — quite literally — on the streets and walls of Winnipeg.
For Sanchez, graffiti is more than just art; it’s an expression of identity, culture and a way to bring beauty to public spaces that are often overlooked.
Growing up, art became his refuge, a way to process the world around him. Today, that childhood instinct to fill space with colour and creativity has blossomed into a full-blown career as a muralist, graffiti artist and collaborator.
The streets of Winnipeg have long been a canvas for local graffiti and mural artists, who use their work to brighten alleyways, bridges and neighbourhood corners. But there’s more to it than splashes of paint. For many, like Sanchez, graffiti and street art provide a way to engage with the city’s pulse, speaking back to the environment in which they grew up.
“When I got more involved with the growing graffiti community in Winnipeg, I was taught by some of the best graffiti writers in the city, said Sanchez. “I always loved how colourful and intricate the style was and how everyone could see it everywhere. That’s what got me hooked.”
Sanchez officially started creating street art at age 12, though he didn’t take it seriously until his late teens. The allure of graffiti was always present, thanks to his urban surroundings, he said.
“I remember walking around the city and seeing these huge graffiti pieces on buildings, on rooftops, and thinking it looked so cool. wanted to give it a shot,” he recalled.
That shot turned into a passion, one that continues to evolve with each spray-painted piece.
Winnipeg’s street art scene has exploded in recent years, with artists like Sanchez contributing to a growing tapestry of urban artwork. Many of these murals are part of larger initiatives like Wall-to-Wall Mural and Culture Festival, which aims to bring together diverse artists to transform public spaces.
Sanchez is also part of a collective of Black artists, musicians, designers and creators making waves in the local art scene, called Black Artists Winnipeg. His involvement with the organization has opened up even more opportunities. Founded by Olivia Cassie, the organization highlights Black creators who are often marginalized, giving them a platform to showcase their art and connect with the community.
“It feels nice to have other people appreciate my work instead of just having it sit in my room,” said Sanchez. “Getting feedback from the community, going to events, and hearing people say they love your work is such a great feeling.”
Collaborations with fellow artists in the collective have also pushed Sanchez to experiment with different styles.
“Our other group member, Kevin, does more realism work, and we’re working on a piece together. I’m showing him the ropes of graffiti while he’s helping me with realism,” he explained.
“It’s a nice little swap and collaboration with everyone.”
Sanchez’s approach to each piece he creates varies.
“I take a lot of inspiration from pop culture and stuff I see on TV,” he said. “But other times, I’m just sitting there, bored, and I’ll draw a circle or a squiggle, and then just go from there.”
The spontaneity of graffiti often mirrors the unpredictability of life — something Sanchez embraces fully. “I used to think of chaos as something bad, but now I’ve learned to implement it into my artwork.”
Beyond graffiti, Sanchez also works as a chef, finding parallels between cooking and art. “I get to be creative with food, just like I am with my art,” he said. “It’s like working with colours and ingredients in the same way I use spray paint on a wall.”
Juggling both passions can be tough, but Sanchez thrives on the challenge.
“I do a lot of my sketches on my half-hour breaks at work. It’s a way to keep challenging myself,” he said.
For Sanchez, graffiti is a way to transform negative perceptions into something positive.
“A lot of people think of graffiti as vandalism, but in reality, these artists are just regular people who want to share their gifts with the world,” he said. “Rather than destroy things, we’re trying to make something beautiful. Take the time to appreciate it, and you’ll discover these people are here because they want to create something good.”
Through his work, Sanchez aims to inspire the next generation of graffiti artists, encouraging them to embrace their creativity and carve out space for themselves in the world — just as he’s done on the streets of Winnipeg.
“At the end of the day, I just want people to see my art and feel something,” he said. “Whether it’s happiness, curiosity, or inspiration, I want them to know that they, too, can leave their mark.”
