PARTONE WANE FUZZONE EZO DUSTER TRACY 168 CES TKID DOC GHOST NOC 167 DASH IZ THE WIZ SYE BLADE KET MERES STAY HIGH DOVES MARE 139
SONIC INK QUIK SPAR
These are the names of twenty-three Graffiti Kings who sparked the pop culture phenomenon in the 1970's. Rtist Gallery highlights these artists and their bold rebellious form of expression in an exhibit titled 'New York City Kings.' For over 20 years they have challenged the idea of art with vibrant colors layering cities with a beauty that, when read between the lines, tells a story to the public by the public.
Stay High frequently tagged himself as the "voice of the ghetto" splashing entire cars with his writings.
"In actuality we brought life to those steel boxes {subways} that carried the sheep to work everyday." ~ NOC 167
Walk around New York City and graffiti is unapologeticly in your face either lightly splashed on trash cans or sprayed on an entire building as a public mural .
Walk into Rtist Gallery and graffiti is boldly sprawled on the walls or long sheets of paper hanging from the ceilings. The bright animations hold a life of their own, ready to jump out at you. Even bubble letters only etched in gray ink hold a vibrancy, a heartbeat that tells a tells a story. It's a story that spans across subway maps, large yards of paper, and an outdoor installation. With varying rooms and enclosed spaces, the gallery holds an impressive collection that clearly punctuates the varying styles of the Graffiti Kings.
"We're just trying to be creative and express ourselves." ~Wane COD
Even though New York City has illegalized it, commercialized it, grown bored and has even painted over it, the tattle-tell bright bubbles of prints and colors has remained energetically sprayed on buildings, cans, walls, and more over the last four decades. Now, the world has embraced it and Rtist Gallery welcomes these twenty-three artists as cultural icons.
"You're standing there in the station, everything gray and gloomy, and all of a sudden one of those graffiti trains slides in and brightens the place like a big bouquet from Latin America."Claes Oldenburg Swedish American Sculptor
Rtist Gallery will be viewing 'New York City Kings' until March 18th.
"This could possibly be the largest line-up of NYC's graffiti communit ever assembled outside the US."~Jeremy Gaschk Head Curator
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