Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Here are authentic first-person accounts from the graffiti writers and artists whose creative genius fuelled the earliest flowering of the movement in late 1970s and early 1980s New York. Henry Chalfant's photographs in Subway Art inspired budding graffiti writers around the world; now read the stories behind those iconic images in the words of the pioneers of the graffiti movement.

In the late 1970s, New York City was bankrupt, dirty and dangerous. Born on these grimy streets, graffiti rapidly made its mark. Here, twelve legendary graffiti writers - Bil Rock, Breezer, Daze, Jon One, Kel, KR, Lady Pink, Sak, Sharp, Skeme, Spin and Team - give first-person accounts of their experiences. Individually interviewed for this book by Sacha Jenkins, they reveal an authentic, unparalleled insight into the golden age of graffiti.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Filled with photographs of brightly tagged subway trains, this title offers a look at the voices behind these moving (literally and figuratively) murals. Chalfant (Subway Art) and filmmaker/artist/zine editor Jenkins highlight an individual and that artist's development as a graffiti writer in a chapter per person. The book focuses on graffiti culture from the mid-1970s until the early 1980s, offering a counterculture viewpoint on the unifying power of graffiti; many artists commented about the lack of race or class distinctions. The book is founded upon the premise that graffiti pieces are truly works of art, not vandalism of public property. Whether the images that accompany the text strike the reader as art is a matter of individual taste, but the ultimate fascination lies in the artists' dissection and analyses of their own styles and those of their contemporaries. Readers may be surprised by the careful thought and planning that the execution of each piece entailed. For additional perspectives, watch the seminal Style Wars documentary (directed by Tony Silver; produced by Chalfant) or read The Faith of Graffiti by Norman Mailer (text) and Jon Naar (photos). VERDICT A fascinating primer on graffiti writers and culture. The indoctrination includes a helpful glossary to decode the slang used throughout. Readers interested in the birth of hip-hop, urban culture, or modern art will find this work especially engrossing.-Rachael Dreyer, American Heritage Ctr., Laramie, WY (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.