Is Graffiti an element of Hip Hop?

One of the most famous graffiti artists of all time, SEEN first began painting trains in The Bronx in 1973.

SEEN’s work was captured and immortalized in the first film about graffiti, Style Wars in 1983, as well as featured prominently in Subway Art, the ‘bible’ of the art movement, first published in 1984.

SEEN’s art was highly influential in the development of graffiti world-wide, as he was dominating the trains at a time when graffiti first became visible to the outside world.

Here’s what SEEN had to say about the common belief that graffiti is a part of Hip Hop.

It’s clear that graffiti arrived well before the emergence of Hip Hop music, and it’s undoubtedly frustrating that the true history of graffiti has been marginalized over the years, in favor of its association as an “element of Hip Hop”.

For more background, have a look at our post about his upcoming show.

This is the first excerpt in a much longer interview. Stay tuned for part two! Like us on Facebook to receive an update!

The graffiti legend will be opening a show titled “Post No Bills” at the Opera Gallery in Central on Tuesday, September 17th.

SEEN – Post No Bills
Opening 6:30 to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, September 17th, 2013
Opera Gallery
52 Wyndham Street
Central, Hong Kong

RSVP to [email protected] to attend