Publisher's Synopsis
The dominance of the graffiti aesthetic in contemporary culture is undeniable. But how did an art form spawned in the train yards of 1970s New York achieve the dominance it now enjoys in rap videos, TV commercials, fashion, and print ads around the world? There are many answers to the question, but one factor is indisputable: DONDI WHITE. Coming of age in hardscrabble East New York in the early 1970s, Dondi began the process of introducing a whole new artistic dialect into the cacophony of the American art scene. His work on subway trains remain classic benchmarks throughout the worldwide graffiti community today. In the 80s, Dondi's contributions were recognised by the art world at large. His death in the autumn of 1998 was mourned in graffiti and high art communities alike. Dondi's work maintains a rabid, worldwide following, and here for the first time, his full story is told. DONDI will also feature early sketches, rare paintings, and many images of Dondi's work on the subway trains of New York that have never been viewed before - anywhere.