R.I.P. Avers

[waldo merfie]

I didn't know the guy or anything, just heard about it.


Wanted to pay my respects somehow.


Rest in Power.

[Ski Mask]

It was great to see everybody down at leeside paying their respects today. I'll be posting up alot of photos later on today, including all the pieces from today.

[Ski Mask]

http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/aversbyensoe.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/ripleedetail.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/opecharacter.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/aversbymark4.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/aversbykome.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/aversposter.jpg

[Ski Mask]

http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/tonebykunt.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/leebyese.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/aversbytosar.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/aversbyhoser.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/aversbylogik.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/aversbywerd.jpg

[Ski Mask]

http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/leebysnak.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/averspos.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/aversbymain.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/aversbysnak.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/rels.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/relscloseup.jpg

[Ski Mask]

http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/candleflowers.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/ripavers.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/aversbywebs.jpg

in the studio a few weeks ago
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/bwleewindow.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/leestudio2.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/leestudio.jpg

[Ski Mask]

http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/ripleefr8.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/matasifr8.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cjmmoc/lee/leetagsfr8.jpg

RIP Lee Matasi aka Avers, aka Tone, aka Livin, 1981-2005. we fucking love you.

[Dr. Dazzle]

I never knew him, but I know how much he meant to a lot of people I do know. A terrible tragedy....

RIP Leeside.

[Frate_Raper]

Oh no,I was hoping it was some lame rumor.What the fuck happened? I can't belive this shit.

[socks]

Lee,

Honest and Insightful.
A, no pressure, easy to connect with human being that made the world a better place. You will be missed in all the smallest corners and wide open spaces.
Respect to Nugget and the rest of his family in this tragic time.



Samo

[bigguy]

We always got into litle arguments about shit.
But thats cuz i like to argue

i remeber the first time i met Lee. We where all kicking it at Seko's crib. Raps bumpin' talking graffiti and life. Drinking our forties. a quik trip to the Seven11 to rack some snacks.
Some how Lee an i got into an argument. Who knows what?! hahah..
Next thing you know we go out and hit this roof top on hastings.
"Over the windows OVER THE WINDOWS!"

Many great memories to follow.

Transit strike.
Skating.
Whitler trips.
Cougers.
and on and on and on....

Fun times!

Much Love!

[lepthebeard]

...rest in power...
this cat helped this city's graff and skate community greatly

[Dr. Dazzle]

http://www.canada.com/images/NewsPages/Province/frontpage.jpg

Monday, December 05, 2005
Lee Matasi loved art and hated guns.

Young Vancouver artist gunned down outside a Richards Street nightclub
Skateboarder Lee Matasi, 23, 'despised guns'

Friends of weekend murder victim Lee Matasi honour his memory with spray-painted murals and candles in a tunnel used by skateboarders under Hastings Street near Cassiar in Vancouver.


The 23-year-old Vancouver skateboarder -- the driving force behind Leeside skateboard park near the PNE -- was shot dead early Saturday outside a nightclub in the 300-block Richards Street.

"Lee despised guns," his grieving mother, Susan Jessop, said through her tears yesterday.

"We heard that he might have taken offence that someone else had a gun, and then that person shot him.

"I don't get it. This isn't supposed to happen in Vancouver."

A few hours earlier, Matasi had gone out for sushi with his mom and sister, Alison, also a renowned skateboarder.

He left his family to attend the opening of a friend's art exhibit. Afterward, the friends went out to celebrate.

"They met someone who took exception to the fact that they were happy," said Matasi's uncle, Bruce Jessop. "The next thing you know, Lee was dead.

"It's an injustice.

"Lee died the opposite way of how he lived. He was soft-spoken and easy-going. He never had a bad word for anybody."

Police said the 28-year-old gunman fired a handgun into the air before striking Matasi and then shooting him.

The alleged shooter was found in an alley about two blocks away and was in custody last night. The gun was found in a nearby dumpster.

Matasi's mother said her son "would never hurt a fly."

"He wanted to be an artist since he was six years old," she said, breaking into tears.

"He wasn't a scholar, but he had just graduated from art school. He saw that art made life beautiful and he did what he could."

Matasi's work can be seen in murals around the city, including one at the corner of Broadway and Yukon. He was hoping to continue his art training in France, and planned to travel there with his long-time girlfriend.

While he was still a student at Templeton Secondary, Matasi began a project to convert a garbage-filled drainage pipe beneath Hastings Street into a skateboard park.

The popular boarding spot is

now called Leeside.

"It was nothing and he made it into a place you wanted to be," said friend Carlos Adams. "He was that way. He inspired people. He was never into violence. He stayed away from that kind of stuff."

Another pal, Jay Lamarche, said Matasi had many friends.

"He was a proactive skateboarder," he said. "This was his community and he was friends with everybody. He was really doing good things."

Yesterday, candles and flowers lined the graffiti-adorned walls at Leeside. Wet spray paint tributes to "Avers" -- Matasi's tag name -- coated the walls.

"This is our dedication to him," said 'boarder Ivan Pelen. "This is how we're remembering him and what he was to us."

Matasi's family will never forget his final words to his sister Alison.

"He told her to be safe," said his mother. "He hugged her and then he left.

"That was the last time we saw him."

[panic]

Rest in Peace,
I only met you once, but you were a stand up guy.
I wish I had flicks of the train that we painted that day in Toronto.
My condolances to his closest.
You will be missed.

[seven.13]

Rest in Peace Avers... I wish we could have painted, or hung out more. He seemed like such an awesome person the few times we did chill. They guy always had a genuine smile on his face. Who gets shot in Vancouver?! Seriously...only 16 homicides so far this year and Lee off all fucking people gets shot.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/SunnyJules/nugs.jpg
Foto from the last time I saw him, he'd just given my can of neon orange to Nugget to do this hot Nugz burner...

[seven.13]

This thread needs some more photos...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/SunnyJules/avers-liver136.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/SunnyJules/aversxmas.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/SunnyJules/aversfr8.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/SunnyJules/leedrives.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/SunnyJules/poster1.jpg

[seven.13]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/SunnyJules/avers004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/SunnyJules/leetail.jpg

*Photos taken off PG

[MESTHREE]

:(

[Big Relly]

You were the best, we'll never forget.

[Brewster Baker]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/yeargonzalez/lobby.jpg


Love Always


Aaron.

[ASER1NE]

RIP LEE...
We Added our own tributes at Leeside and on your very own boxcar...
Rest in Peace

[T.T Boy]

i dont really know what to say, except we lost a real good person. i dont think ive ever met anyone who has said anything bad about lee. i wish i could have knew him better, i just mentioned that to komes last week... now its too late. i wish we could have travelled around together, he seemed like the perfect guy to do that with.

goodbye lee.

ilijc wanted me to say the same thing on his behalf. and to thank you for your hospitality when you offered to show him around the city when you didnt even know him at all. something that might seem insignificant, but to him it meant alot.

[Brewster Baker]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/yeargonzalez/AversRIP.gif

[Shadows of a Visible Crew]

Met Avers through my boy Math when he came to chill on the east coast. We drank forties and bombed all night, cool guy. its a shame some coward took his life. I guess bad things happen to good people. Montreal got love for you son, RIP.

[Not That Kyd]

RIP Lee, even on the other side of the world now everytime I see a boarder, some graf, a big bottle, someone with hair or a poster on the street(see? all the time) I think about you and the wonderful links between you and others and all the fun times at the Dynamo, on the roof, at the Loft, In Montreal. You always left us some tags so we wouldn't forget you and they're never going to go away, so many memories, so many locales you brought some fun to. You told me all the time to "get happy" because you cared. Damn all the good ones go first, but you're not all gone, never will be.
You're a daily inspiration, loving life, loving everybody and complete openess, you're so rare. So cozy, so family.

Mire and mom and dad adn Alison, stay strong girl and remember your big big family is still here.
my email for you (In in Bulgaria right now) pigeonprojects{at}gmail{dot}com

Don't worry about knocking before you go through the door to the stude Avers and come back to visit anytime.

Love Love Two Love Three
Kyd

[Not That Kyd]

RIP Lee, even on the other side of the world now everytime I see a boarder, some graf, a big bottle, someone with hair or a poster on the street(see? all the time) I think about you and the wonderful links between you and others and all the fun times at the Dynamo, on the roof, at the Loft, In Montreal. You always left us some tags so we wouldn't forget you and they're never going to go away, so many memories, so many locales you brought some fun to. You told me all the time to "get happy" because you cared. Damn all the good ones go first, but you're not all gone, never will be.
You're a daily inspiration, loving life, loving everybody and complete openess, you're so rare. So cozy, so family.

Mire and mom and dad adn Alison, stay strong girl and remember your big big family is still here.
my email for you (In in Bulgaria right now) pigeonprojects{at}gmail{dot}com

Don't worry about knocking before you go through the door to the stude Avers and come back to visit anytime.

Love Love Two Love Three
Kyd

thanks for the photos everyone.

[cyens]

Rest in Peace

I didnt knew the guy, but reading these lines about what happend, I think its realy tragic...I'm getting shivers....

RIP

[the real shaun desman]

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/6596/avers6gp.jpg

damn son. rest in peace

[GrueCper]

damn my nigga i wish u didnt have to leave us so soon bro. its been real ythough from crushin freights to bombin the streets. rip, ur cuz -kaper

[GrueCper]

all you fools who thought u new my bro lee need to shut the fuck up that fool was my family.

[HATEBREEDER]

he was one of the first young heads that did simples, in
my opinion, that were really dope. one day on the train
i saw i think 4 fresh panels at different spots, thats how i
first saw his shit.

i didnt know him, but its weird. ive ran into him in yards
and hed wave. seemed like he wouldnt be a toy so id
wave back.

rip.

[SoZe42]

Yes ... RIP Lee

[!@#$%]

merged with avers thread

[socks]

justice??? system

what the fuck?!!

[RhekOne]

Yo - I need high-res (1 mb or higher) flicks of Avers graf for a tribute spread in Under Pressure magazine ( http://www.underpressure.ca/ ). Frieghts, walls, doddles, anything - plus i need pictures of the Lee Side tirbute wall. Please help, I need to get this in ASAP and I don't have many flicks of his shit and I just lost my digi cam (in fact, Decmeber as a month is terrible). E-mail all images to [email protected] and please repost this, tell people about it etc.
Rest In Peace my brother....

peace
-Rhek

[email protected]

[RhekOne]

also - does anyone have an e-mail for nugget or lee's girl?
-Rhek

[Frate_Raper]

Crews home from the west,sad talk about this last night....R.I.P DUDE!

[geezpot]

I hate hearing about people that are geniunely good people being taken way before thier time.

RIP Lee.

Vancouver has lost a few writers over the years but this one was tragic.
I only met him a few times and the guy was a stand up artists and would do anything for anyone.

[religion]

Met him while painting @ Granville street bridge competition. Good guy, loved graff & life. All love and respect.

R.I.P

[Over It]

Never met the guy, but I knew a few people who where friends with him.
When I realized that he was the guy who was in the news, the first thing that came to mind was they would always joke about him "painting rainbows".
After reading the good words here, its sort of seems fitting. RIP.

[WHOWHAT]

LOVE THE XMAS FR8..RIP

[WhiteOx]

some cool shit in this thread-rip-

[tracy tower]

hard to pay ur respects online but rip- i met him once seemed like a good man. i saw some really cutty/creeper tags he caught recently in some dingy alleys that wont be going anywhere anytime soon... so at least his name will live on... rest in peace lee

[seven.13]

bump
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/SunnyJules/avers.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/SunnyJules/Untitled-2.jpg

[Brewster Baker]

http://www.youtube.com/?v=rthHnVyojx0

[fuckum]

Rest in peace...

[Frate_Raper]

bump

[crews]

R.I.P so young..

[imubiquitous]

RIP Avers... All of my love to his family and spirit

[panther]

some other nice ones

[Ski Mask]

its been a whole year now. hard to believe. we still miss you lee! RIP.

[Frate_Raper]

damn homie been a year

[dontsleep34]

one year since he left still hurts. Hastings was always better and funner with him roaming it. If your in Vancouver this weekend I defently suggest going to the Leeside skatepark and showing respect theres a service there.

[Dog Chapman]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/yeargonzalez/100_0607.jpg

[Dog Chapman]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/yeargonzalez/100_0611.jpg

[Dog Chapman]

always with me


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/yeargonzalez/leetattoo.jpg

[kl0x]

I always hate to look in the heavens.
There are so many good artists that pass so horribly.

I just wish I could have known lee.

[madeone]

That night we spent drinkin beer and walkin the streets in van was a night to remember.
caught the whole car last week. Hope it runs forever.
mead.

[Dog Chapman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i1vrwGw4U8

[tomsargent]

caught an Avers wholecar rolling through Calgary sunday night..
R I P Avers.

[michael savage]

seen these yesterday - rip
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/johnnyuma/rolling%20stock%202/032407015.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/johnnyuma/rolling%20stock%202/032407016.jpg

[geezpot]

The trial finally starts today.

RIP

[Reuben Kinkaid]

Hope dude gets the chair.

RIP.

[ClownPrince]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/45/194122750_dfd7af6ab9.jpg?v=0
*stolen from the van. graff. flickr group*

Never met the guy, honestly wish I could have, the guy left nothing but a positive mark on this city and its scene.
My support goes out to the fam and friends, Rest In Power Lee "Avers" Matasi.

[blood fart]

Hope dude gets the chair.

RIP.


http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/11/28/bc-matasiverdict.html

I heard he got life in prison..but I can't find an article anywhere.

[Hayabusa]

rip

[rites1]

R.I.P
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t309/rites1/rites983.jpg

[PLAYER HATER OF THE YEAR]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b373/sunrisered/cobalttunnel.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b373/sunrisered/DSCN0017-1.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b373/sunrisered/DSCN4990.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b373/sunrisered/DSCN0119.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b373/sunrisered/hastingsalley3d.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b373/sunrisered/aerosoloddesey.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b373/sunrisered/hastingsside3d.jpg

[Power Bill]

REST IN PEACE. This guy had the potential to be one of the best writers in Canada. He was certainly one of the best people I ever met. He stayed out of beefs between his friends and was much loved. I hope people think about how acting like a stereotyped Coke thug---carrying and pulling guns in Vancouver isn't fuckin on. Shame on this moron motherfucker. Peace in Lee's name.