The Cultural Forum’s Art of Defiance exhibit celebrates an art with beginnings in New York City’s subways. Local graffiti artists will be showcased in the Adell McMillan Gallery on the second floor of the EMU until July 15.
Serving as a vehicle for political statements and a notable part of gang culture, the art of graffiti has always been as much about identity as it has been wrapped in controversy. The genre’s popularity took off in the 1960s as a new movement of expression for the urban youth following the legacy of Taki 183.
One of the first graffiti artists, Taki 183 was known for “tagging” his name on the walls inside and out of subway trains. His art brought him fame when he was featured in a 1971 New York Times article.
“The goal was to … have one’s name in as many places as possible, and as kids competed against each other to get famous, the amount of graffiti on trains exploded,” according to an event press release.
Featured artists include Dan Hopper, Eric Purdy, Jon Bosch and Justin Frye.
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