LEE--- known as a writer and aerosol artist in NYC from 1974--1982, explored themes, which included his fears of nuclear war, the catholic church and his own love life. He was a whole car specialist in the " wild style" of subway car graffiti and part of the Fabulous 5, one of the most respected writing crews, along with DOC, MONO, Dirty Slug and SLAVE. Together they painted the first whole train to ever run in traffic. Hi first work that was both legal and aboveground, "The Lion's Den", was created on a school wall with the principal's permission in 1980 while the artist was still in high school.
It contains the general aspects of street art---the artists "tag" or name written in the highly stylized calligraphy in cool blues on warm yellow, …show more content…
It was a self made movement and it continues to live on because it is the only accessible alternative for an individual voice." If we consider art to be a method whereby a person can externalize his deepest internal voice, then graffiti must be considered an art form. Young people who had no training, no knowledge of art or the history or techniques of art and no access to the materials that would normally let them create art, found a way to express their fears, their longings, their very selves. Desperate for a way to be heard, to be made visible, to have an identity and sense of worth, they began to paint their names. For example, in the case of “The Lion’s Den” LEE painted his name in a vibrant blue that was completely unlike any other color located within the work. The brightness that he chose immediately grabs your attention and brings it in to the name. This style evolved into a complete art form filled with the urgency and desperation that they felt. Graffiti and street art came into being at the same time as rap and hip hop was being created by other artists in the field of music. Also begun on the streets and underground, they quickly co-opted the graffiti style into their album covers and clothing designs which continues to influence urban culture today. "Graffiti is art and if art is a crime, please God, forgive
It contains the general aspects of street art---the artists "tag" or name written in the highly stylized calligraphy in cool blues on warm yellow, …show more content…
It was a self made movement and it continues to live on because it is the only accessible alternative for an individual voice." If we consider art to be a method whereby a person can externalize his deepest internal voice, then graffiti must be considered an art form. Young people who had no training, no knowledge of art or the history or techniques of art and no access to the materials that would normally let them create art, found a way to express their fears, their longings, their very selves. Desperate for a way to be heard, to be made visible, to have an identity and sense of worth, they began to paint their names. For example, in the case of “The Lion’s Den” LEE painted his name in a vibrant blue that was completely unlike any other color located within the work. The brightness that he chose immediately grabs your attention and brings it in to the name. This style evolved into a complete art form filled with the urgency and desperation that they felt. Graffiti and street art came into being at the same time as rap and hip hop was being created by other artists in the field of music. Also begun on the streets and underground, they quickly co-opted the graffiti style into their album covers and clothing designs which continues to influence urban culture today. "Graffiti is art and if art is a crime, please God, forgive